According to the Wall Street Journal Apple has received an interesting new trademark for the three-dimensional shape of the iPod. Traditional trademarks have generally been granted for two-dimensional designs (logos, etc.) so actually trademarking the shape of the iPod is unusual. One key advantage of the trademark over patents is that while the latter expire after a period of time, a trademark can be continually renewed. In some ways this move on Apple's part is rather curious as the shape in question is the classic iPod shape, and I think at this point it's clear that the classic is more the past than future of iPod design. The awarded trademark itself is for the "design of a portable and handheld digital electronic media device comprised of a rectangular casing displaying circular and rectangular shapes therein arranged in an aesthetically pleasing manner." However, Apple has also applied for a similar trademark for the iPhone. For those of us of a certain age the phrase "look and feel" can't help but come to mind, though this time with rather more success for Cupertino.
[via Daring Fireball]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-12-2008 @ 6:34PM
shaun said...
I think they'll still refer to the shape of the iPod even in future designs, just like how the iPhone has an 'iPod' icon which shows the same design
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5-12-2008 @ 6:40PM
Argent said...
A trademark for a particular shape is actually not all that unusual. Rare and difficult to obtain, yes, but not unusual. A product has to reach a truly iconic status before the trademark is granted, so it certainly speaks to the iPod's importance as a branded object. Coca-Cola, for example, has had a trademark on its distinctive bottle shape for years now.
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5-12-2008 @ 7:49PM
Andrew said...
I truly...
No, really...
I TRULY love our informed readers of TUAW...
Amazing stuff.
5-12-2008 @ 11:29PM
Xman said...
rare: not occurring very often.
unusual: not habitually or commonly occurring or done.
I'm just saying...
5-12-2008 @ 7:37PM
Alex Linhares said...
Apple is developing a dual-screen ipod touch/iphone which will have, once closed, the classic ipod look (though it will be much larger). You can browse music and people to call with it closed, and you can do incredible amounts of stuff with the "mini-note" from apple.
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5-12-2008 @ 8:06PM
Andrew said...
Right.
Keep dreaming.
A double-screened ANYTHING goes completely against Apple's design rules.
5-12-2008 @ 10:22PM
ZeroCorpse said...
Obviously, this is just a move to give them some ammunition against the gajillion cheap Chinese clones and ripoffs of the iPod shape-- I've seen FM radios that look like an iPod, except they have a photo PASTED on the plastic "screen".
The sooner the cheap junk is off the market, the happier I'll be. That stuff isn't worth the money paid for it.
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5-13-2008 @ 1:00AM
Seth A said...
As the person above me stated, this probably is there to avoid other companies from designing products based on the shape of an older Apple product. Since the shape and design is so iconic, it could sell pretty well. As we see with many products already on the market that start with "i" I wonder if a 3D design trademark was ever granted for the original iMac design.
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