08-18-2006, 01:13 AM
http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/?articleID=4877
This case is a perfect example of how ludicrous trademark filing has become. Companies try to protect their brands by monopolizing common words in the English language, laying claim to anything that can make a buck. Soon, some company will emerge saying they own the trademark to the English language itself.
Imagine IBM laying claim to the word “business” because it’s in its name; or GM saying no other car company can use the word “motors.”
Frankly, Apple doesn’t need this publicity. To be blunt, they’re stupid for trying to beat up a self-employed woman over a word they have no right to own. Apple owns iPod, not every other rearrangement of those four letters.