Apple may want to Trademark "POD" after all

[slaughterbeck]

Apple defends its line of MP3 players from arcade products

In an effort to protect its very well known iPod brand, Apple has begun sending out legal threats to companies that use the letters P, O and D together in any service or product. A company called Mach 5 Products is unfortunately on the receiving end of Apple's stick. Mach 5 Products makes basic products for arcades and its new device called the Profit Pod is raising concerns at Apple headquarters. According to Apple, "Profit Pod" significantly infringes on the iPod trademark and Apple claims that the name will confuse consumers.

Dave and Carolee Ellison, the owners of Mach 5 Products say that Profit Pod has nothing to do with Apple or any of Apple's products. In fact, the Profit Pod is an infrared device that is integrated into arcade machines and allows operators to keep track of information such as how much money was inserted without having to open up the machine. Profit Pod can send the data to a notebook or hand held tracking device. Despite the glaring differences between a Profit Pod and an iPod, Apple sent the following letter to Mach 5 Products:

We believe there is confusing similarity between Apple's IPOD mark and the PROFIT POD mark. PROFIT POD is a POD-formative mark and incorporates a substantial portion of Apple's IPOD mark. The products are likewise related. Both devices receive and transmit data and are used with computers, both are used in connection with video games, and both have other similar components. Moreover, it has not gone unnoticed that, like Apple's IPOD device, the PROFIT POD product is a small, flat, round corned rectangular device with a display screen. In addition to the likelihood of confusion between the products, because Apple's mark is famous, it is entitled to protection from dilution attributable to the PROFIT POD mark.


Apple is also telling Mach 5 Products that it cannot file for trademarks using the "pod" nomenclature in the US or anywhere else. The computer company also says it's giving Mach 5 Products a reasonable time to phase out any products using the "pod" name. Interestingly, Apple also claims that the Profit Pod bares physical resemblance to an iPod thereby confusing consumers on which one is which.

The full legal letter Apple sent to Mach 5 Products can be read here

Source: DailyTech

I’m not too certain this will have an impact on the countless number of websites that incorporate the mark of iPod in full but many companies better watch out. I wonder what the owner of Peapod.com has to say?


Best wishes,
Kimmy

 

[cdboard]

pod (pŏd)

A school of marine mammals, such as seals, whales, or dolphins.

 

[deleted984054565403]

That's kind of sick. I don't think Mach 5 had any intentions on copying Apple's product or name while creating their product. They have very different uses, and I don't think anyone could possibly confuse the two

 

[Gnet]

Etab its not so much sick everything that goes on in the advertising/marketting industry is thought through very carefully they knew what they where doing after all Apple is not that small to be overlooked.

Apple trademarking POD is actually a good move for future development.

 

[NP41215]

If Apple had used "Pod" publicly without giving notice of trademark, such as "tm" at the least, I doubt they can retroactively trademark it.

A retroactive trademark, even if issued, will probably become invalidated on legal challenge.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[gou]

Ugh, some trademarks just annoy me.

 

[vimkar]

If Apple had used "Pod" publicly without giving notice of trademark, such as "tm" at the least, I doubt they can retroactively trademark it.

A retroactive trademark, even if issued, will probably become invalidated on legal challenge.

Just my 2 cents.

i agree ..