Who owns the word "pod?"
Summary: The answer, obviously, is no one. No one can in fact "own" a particular word, bu you wouldn't know that by the way Apple threatens and litigates products that use the word "pod" in their name.
The answer, obviously, is no one. No one can in fact "own" a particular word, bu you wouldn't know that by the way Apple threatens and litigates products that use the word "pod" in their name.
According to Wired the latest example is a company called Sector Labs whose Video Pod trademark has been blocked by Apple. However, unlike previous victims of Apple's abusive legal team like MyPodder, TightPod, PodShow and Podium, Sector Lab isn't taking Apple's legal threat lying down. The company yesterday filed a 239-page response to Apple's trademark opposition.
It appears that Apple is not only trying to put an iPod in everybody's hands and white earbuds in everyone's ears but to control the use of our language and most particularly the word 'Pod,' ... If we are not careful, in Apple's quest for dominance, they will soon attempt to take over the words 'Phone' and 'Tunes' — let us hope they do not attempt a coup over the exclusive rights to the letter 'i'.
According to Wired Apple must file a response to Sector Labs by April 1, and then Sector Labs will have the opportunity to respond.
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Talkback
And let us not forget
Though I wonder if Mack Trucks can sue Apple over the use of the name "iMac"?
I would laugh if they had to rebrand the line "iMachintosh" :)
I've always liked the FoxTrot name
Apple's Trademark History...
You all probably remember the tussle with Apple Corp Records (the Beatles) over the name "Apple". The suit finally ending after 20 years with Apple agreeing not to use the "Apple" name for anything having to do with the recording industry, then they turned around and started iTunes. That's why there weren't any Beatles songs there until just recently...
Bad behavior
however is infuriating and has been for a while
now. I am glad someone is firing back.
Macadam
This is not bad behavior at all
Trademarks are thus good for consumers and companies alike.
Add on top of all of this that companies stand to lose the protections their trademarks offer them if left undefended, it only makes sense that Apple would go after every associated "Pod" product and company out there.
Yawn - Try again with better logic next time
Using your logic...
Don't search
Pod Thai
The only reason Apple was granted trademark for "iPod" because this NEW word was not trademarked before. Saying that Video Pod creates an impression that this product was made by Apple is at least strange. No, it does not. The same way PeopleSoft or any other DahDahDahSoft does not create an impression that it was made Microsoft.
On the other hand "iPod" sounds is if somebody is ordering a thai pod dish and does not know how to say it right.
you mean
POD is a common world, Apple should be fined a billion or two for ABUSING the legal system for NO VALID reason.
Where did I say that Apple can trademark the word "Pod"?
The key word here being "associated" (i.e., pertaining to MP3 players and similar devices). In other words, obviously Apple shouldn't sue Keurig over their "coffee pods". However to claim that Apple has no case against a company produce a personal video device called the "Video Pod" is either extremely naive or outright disingenuous.
Furthermore, to say Apple should be fined two billion dollars for defending their trademark in court is just stupid.
Can you say "Windows?"
frame to fill the opening in the walls in my house.
No it's bad
iPodium, not Pod-ium, Podium! The product looked like a speaker's
podium! BAD Apple!
I'm a 25 year Mac user. If even I am appalled at this then you should
at least wonder. Now I understand why I get tarred with the "Mactard"
brush and accusations of always giving Apple a pass because I am a
fan. Supporting this kind of action over an extremely common word
referencing an unrelated product is overboard to say the least!
Particulary an example like Podium where the 3 letters in question are
part of a totally different word that is not even pronounced like their
product!
http://is.gd/oNa1
So your contention is ...
As for the "Mactard" comment, I agree with Apple in this case because they're right. I like their products, but I don't agree with everything they do. However, all companies have the right to protect their intellectual property.
On top of that, anyone who would dismiss your point of view by calling you a "Mactard" is arguing from an ad hominem fallacy. It's clear that people taking that position have no solid argument to make, so why would you dignify their position by even giving a crap? People like that aren't worth my time.
Agree to disagree
Apple needs to defend their trademark rights, but I feel they take it
too far. Perhaps the Podium is related, but still, it's not pronounced
the same way, it's not a product that competes with any Apple product
(although it does compliment one) and in fact it's function is similar to
any podium I ever used to hold my notes while giving a speech.
if you want a better example look at the Profit Pod
case.http://is.gd/oUR0
Clearly this is an unrelated product, never seen by the general public,
and IMHO obviously offers no infringement, competition, or potential
market confusion whatsoever since Apple's general market would
never even hear of it.
What I am saying is that they take it too far sometimes and in my
opinion this is such a case.
I've never responded before to the "Mactard" label. All I am saying
here is that despite the name being ignorant and juvenile, I now
understand better where it comes from. Blind loyalty is blind and too
much of it is harmful to perceptions of a group. It is a fallacy, I don't
normally care, but a lot of people do and some of those people are
perpetuating a stereotype.
Your comments are well stated and well thought out. I disagree with
you, but I do respect your opinion as it is obviously not totally blind.
The Profit Pod case ...
We will have to agree to disagree on whether or not Podium is riding the iPod brand coattails. I'm not saying it's not a clever name, but to me it's a blatant allusion to iPod.
It seems to me that many people who group, label and stereotype other people do so as a shortcut to thinking. It's a person with a weak argument that has to resort to attacking the other party.
[i]I do respect your opinion as it is obviously not totally blind.[/i]
But it is somewhat blind?
Poor choice of words
<i>are</i> totally blind opinions with nothing to back them up.
No I don't think you're statements are blind at all. You have obviously
educated opinions.
Sorry about that.
It is not necessarily that something's related..
Apple.
When people hear 'iPod' they think of Apple. If an electronic device with
a similar name could confuse consumers, it's entirely within Apple's
rights, and indeed, it is their responsibility, to protect that trademark.
Look up 'trademark dilution.'
I agree ...
starts going after uses of "pod" that are clearly not related. Would the
"reasonable man" argument not apply?
It's an accessory, everyone knows that
Everyone knows they are for the iPod but no one thinks they are made by anyone other than Belkin. And Apple...have they sued Belkin or passed on specs so Belkin can make products that enhance the iPhone without Apple haveing to put in the effort.
And Belkin is only ony of a multitude of companies doing this.