Apple moves to ban Steve Jobs action figure

The idea that only actors, amongst all celebrities, own publicity rights to their own image and likeness? Bzzzzt.

Given that line, I am going to go ahead and guess that InIcons does NOT have a legal team. Publicity rights survive death in many states and even where they don't federal law prevents the appropriation of a celebrity's likeness as false endorsement.

Apple is undoubtedly justified in initiating action here because the background prop of the model and its attire are clearly meant to imitate an Apple keynote, so that's false Apple endorsement as well as misuse of trade dress.

This is not a case of Apple 'owning' Steve Jobs. Apple owns publicity rights to its promotional events, and all employees either explicitly or implicitly would necessarily transfer rights relating to their image to Apple by willingly appearing in those events. How else could Apple ever legally publish a video of the event? Apple owns those rights, and derivative and reproduction rights of its events as well.

This figure is not going to be manufactured.

So does Apple OWN Steve Jobs' likeness now? The man clearly deserves any homage which can be given to him. Steve Jobs changed the entire world with his visionary outset and revamping of wireless media and communications. He’ll be a name which rings out through history for evolving the way we live, share and communicate. I was compelled to create a portrait of him, now In Memoriam on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/08/end-of-era-steve-jobs.html

If there is any legal blocking to be done, why is Apple doing this and not his estate? Wouldn't his children have more say over this product being blocked than Apple?

I'm pretty sure at this point Apple employs more lawyers than they do engineers.

I.Steve.Am?

I.Steve.Am?

What I find creepy: I thought Apple belonged to Steve (well, a part of...) but now it seems, Steve belongs to Apple.

And I like this guy's moxy. I hope he doesn't back down cuz I preordered one.

I think the celebrity bit is that he's famous, but he never marketed himself as an actor or athlete would. He was never the product, per se. He's famous by association with Apple.

He's a celebrity yet a normal person?