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Apple versus Woolworths: logo smackdown

by Chris Rawson Oct 5th 2009 at 9:30AM

UPDATE 2: Be sure to read Engadget's analysis of what appears to be a non-event here.

Apple is apparently getting hot and bothered over Australian/New Zealand supermarket chain Woolworths' new logo. Woolworths insists the logo is merely a stylized "W," but Apple's copyright lawyers aren't buying it. They're trying to knock down Woolworths' copyright application for the logo by claiming it violates Apple's intellectual property.
Apparently, according to trademark lawyer Trevor Choy, Apple does this fairly often, trying to make sure that some other company's branding can't be mistaken for its iconic logo.

I'll admit that at first glance the logos look similar (to me, anyway – my ex-graphic designer wife doesn't agree). Even so, it seems kind of a stretch to assume anyone is going to confuse Woolworths, a supermarket chain based only in Australia and New Zealand that mostly sells, you know, food, with Apple, a worldwide company that sells computers. Trust me, I shop at the Woolworths here in Palmerston North every week; it's a decent grocer, but nobody's going to wander in there looking for a MacBook Pro.

What do you think? Does Apple have a case here? Or is it sort of ridiculous for Apple to claim that anything roundish with a leaf on top endangers its trademark? Sound off in the comments.

UPDATE: A couple of points we should clear up on this post. First, Apple is not, in fact, the aggressor in this case. No one is, really. It is a trademark action, and as far as we know it has NOT become a lawsuit. It appears to be a part of the trademark process as it happens down under. Apple is free to object, and since Woolworths is attempting to register their mark across a huge range of products (like computers), they are practically obligated to do so. We'll keep an eye out for any interesting developments, however. - Ed.

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UPDATE 2: Be sure to read Engadget's analysis of what appears to be a non-event here. Apple is apparently getting hot and bothered over...
 

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Bruce Hoult

Actually I seem to recall that the agreement between the Beatles and Apple Inc a couple of years ago makes Apple Inc responsible for policing both trademarks.

October 06 2009 at 8:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kenseidave

Hmm so any symbol that remotely resembles an apple belongs to Apple?

WTF is that?

So the Beatles couldn't stop Apple from copying their logo but Apple can stop other people copying their copied logo?

I am an Apple fan but this is just crazy.

October 06 2009 at 8:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bruce Hoult

I bought my last DVD player in Woolworths (a little beauty that has a memory card slot and a USB port and plays torrented divx's just fine for $40 or $50).

It would not in the least bit surprise me to see cheap house brand laptop computers in there next week.

October 06 2009 at 8:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pilotzen

if you squint and change the colour.... maybe.... :) http://yfrog.com/0capplevswoolworthscolourj

October 06 2009 at 7:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Simon Arch

See, it's crap like this that makes me want to abandon Apple, no matter how good their hardware and OS may be. I understand you have to protect your copyrights from infringement, but only a brain-damaged idiot with a negative IQ would look at those two logos and find them confusing.

*sigh*

October 05 2009 at 4:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
axis360

Ok can we say Bad and I'm Bad (whoops Michael Jackson estate will now be coming after me)
Bad one because I think it's an awful logo for woolworth, that's a W ?
Ok, lets say it is, why then the leafy thing coming out of the top? Do they only sell green apples?
Apple computer common, its green, it for a supermarket and it's fufoo! (SP) Bad stretch to think it will make people think its for computers. Save your money, save your time!

October 05 2009 at 3:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kendall Tawes

Just get rid of the top and be done with it. The "W" looks good without it.

October 05 2009 at 2:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kyle

reminds me more of the W in Walt Disney than the Apple in Apple

October 05 2009 at 1:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Allan L.

It's food that should be suing Apple for the obvious potential confusion over the corporate name.

October 05 2009 at 12:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Justin

I just received word from Motts (The People that make Applesauce) that Apple Inc. has filed a lawsuit against them because the product they use to make their applesauce looks too much like the Apple Logo.

October 05 2009 at 12:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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