Company sues CBS and Apple over 'Mighty Mouse' name

A firm named Man and Machine is suing both Apple and CBS for trademark infringement for using the Mighty Mouse name to describe a computer input device. Man and Machine makes hygenic water- and chemical-resistant keyboards and mice for hospitals and laboratories.

Man and Machine claims CBS (who owns the cartoon property, which may or may not be pictured) did not have the legal authority to license the name to Apple. Man and Machine holds a trademark for use of the Mighty Mouse name in conjunction with an interface controller. It claims it first used the term in 2004, but only filed for the trademark in December 2007. CBS's trademark (which covers Apple's device) was filed in July 2007, indicating its first use was in 2005 (when the Mighty Mouse came out).

Thus the tension. It's unclear if Man and Machine licensed the Mighty Mouse name (as Apple did) and whether or not that will influence the outcome.

[via 9-to-5 Mac]

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Source: http://www.9to5mac.com/mighty_mouse_trademark

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A firm named Man and Machine is suing both Apple and CBS for trademark infringement for using the Mighty Mouse name to describe a computer...

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Robb

Overheard as two Apple lawyers are heading off to court (again)...

"Remember when we used to be bored all the time?"

"Yeah... remember how we used to be able to go to movies during the middle of the day? Or play cards with the guys over in Marketing?"

"Stupid iPod."

May 22 2008 at 10:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Blaktornado

They probably got the results of the trademarking back and found Apple had already taken it, and in an angry tantrum similar to that of a three year old, the company sues Apple and CBS.

*sigh* Time wasters.

I doubt the Apple Lawyers are having much trouble counter-arguing this.

May 22 2008 at 5:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

chumsdock

How I wish someone sues mighty mouse for the damn wheel or nipple..

May 22 2008 at 3:00 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jayden

*LEAVE APPLE ALONE!*

-cries chris crocker

May 22 2008 at 1:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jon

I hope this causes Apple to change the name.

And make sure that the scroll wheels don't last 5 mins and then die.

May 22 2008 at 1:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

andrew harrison

wow. assuming this other company didn't actually license the name from CBS, all it would take is CBS suing them for copyright infringement and bang end of story.

morons.

May 21 2008 at 9:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to andrew harrison's comment

mabhatter

trademarks are per class of device. A company making computer pointing devices called "mice" naming their product "Mighty Mouse" would be clearly different from the Animated Cartoon. Their trademark application would have been approved.... with the proper paperwork up front.
From various other posts that reasearched this, it looks like this company didn't file a federal trademark on their name. Apple did up front. They would be suing CBS because the trademark of "Mighty Mouse" would not have been available ... if the paper work was in order. CBS would have cartoons, PJs, lunchboxes, etc, but probably not computer mouses covered until Apple came to them.
The fact that Apple felt the need to license the name at all shows that they did their research quite well, they could have known this product was on the market and fixed it. The CBS agreement almost makes it look like they were trying to "buy" their way around the M&M company name.

May 21 2008 at 10:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

actionbastard

Really stupid guys. Suing the company that you DIDN'T license the trademark from.

Abosolutely Darwinian.

May 21 2008 at 8:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

MeatyPi

Well, the mighty mouse is pretty crappy anyway, plus I've never understood Apple calling it that, because it doesn't fit their naming scheme at all. Why not iMouse, Mouse Pro, Mac Mouse, or something that actually reminds of Apple

May 21 2008 at 8:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jason D

Wow good job guys, just about 2 and a half years late.

May 21 2008 at 8:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

metroid87706

More people who really don't care, but want to make a ruckus. I'd put $1,000 down that Apple would win the "war" against the lousy name Mighty Mouse (And this is coming from an Apple fanboy kind of person)

These lawsuits are a waste of everybodys time.

May 21 2008 at 8:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply