Pompously, Apple seemingly claims Pad trademark

[Liberal_in_LA]

Apple has reportedly begun enforcing a new rule: apps with the word "Pad" in them are being rejected. The reason, Apple said in an email to a developer, is that his ContactPad app "inappropriately uses Pad in the application name." Eh?

They pointed the developer to the "Guidelines for Using Apple Trademarks and Copyrights." At this point we have to wonder what part of that is trademarked. Is it ContactPad? No. Is it Contact? No? Oh, it's pad!

Pompous much?

It is obviously impossible for Apple to have trademarked the word Pad. Thus the employee who rejected the ContactPad is obviously wrong (though he was likely told to do so by UM = Steve Jobs and the lawyers).

http://www.examiner.com/x-39728-San-Jose-Technology-Examiner~y2010m4d9-Pompously-Apple-seemingly-claims-Pad-trademark

[onehandle]

1. Apple restricts use of their own products' names in other products. Especially in their own store.

Just like a lot of companies. This includes variations.

And their app store is their own turf. They can do whatever they want on their own property.

And I think this is bad 'reporting' and sensationalism.

[hobbit709]

Touchpad. Apple doesn't own the word pad.

[emulatorloo]

6. Read the whole letter. The developers are creating an App they want sold at the Apple Store

Apple has guidelines for developers so there is not brand confusion, etc. Many companies do.

"ContactPad" could easily be misinterpreted as an official application.

[hobbit709]

12. Many years ago I worked for company with the same attitude as Apple.

Everything was proprietary-even the hardware in their computer(standard hard drive but wouldn't connect to controller without their rearranged connections). They wouldn't let anyone sell software to work on their systems without being authorized/licensed/sold by them.
Needless to say, that company is no longer in the computer business.

[emulatorloo]

15. Ridiculous comparison. Apple encourages developers. And developers agree to use of names and trade

marks all the time. It isn't onerous or egregious. Having worked as a software dev it is standard operating procedure.

All companies try to protect their branding and avoid brand confusion.

[frazzled]

2. Capital P pad as a suffix or affix could be trademarked

Although MaxiPad is currently in use!

Look, if Disney can do this, I'm sure Apple can try it. (A filmmaker we knew was enjoined from using the word Monster in his film because Disney was currently working on its Monsters film. It was of course absolutely ridiculous, but his lawyers told him it was not worth the financial aggravation of fighting Disney--they have absolutely unlimited resources).

[stranger81]

13. Apple can't TM "pad," even as a suffix, where it's being given its standard, ordinary usage

(as it is here -- meaning, a writing surface). No way, no how can they trademark this. The "Monster" filmmaker would have won, too, had he decided to fight.

[emulatorloo]

3. I think you and the blogger are over-reading this.

They are trying to avoid brand confusion on Apps they are selling at the App store.

ContactPad could be confused as an "official Apple title" with that name.

They aren't threatening to sue the developer. The developer agrees to certain stipulations to have a title endorsed by Apple and put in the app store.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. Thanks for clarification

[DJ13]

4. Stayfree is in trouble then

[emulatorloo]

5. StayFree is not applying to sell something thru the Apple website/store

Having done some software development, following guidelines on branding is an expected thing.

[lame54]

9. are you against cyber-freshness?

[emulatorloo]

11. I just sprayed my ipod with alcohol free glass cleaner, Does that count?

Hilarious.

[lame54]

16. like a spring meadow

[thelordofhell]

8. They barely own their own name

The Beatles are still pissed

[suston96]

10. They should have called it iTab......for iTablet....

....iTab? Uh, never mind. Tab is already copyrighted. I never liked the way it tasted.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

14. When it comes to trying to intellectual property rights, Apple is about as evil as it gets

Then there are the labor practices where their products are manufactured. That any liberal or progressive buys from Apple amazes me.

[Duke Newcombe]

17. Oh well...so much for Pad Thai.... n/t