Apple sues Woolworths over new company logo

Apple is suing Australia’s largest retailer, Woolworths, over its new logo design. Apple feels the design is too much like its own, according to a story on WAToday.com.

Image Credit: WAToday.com

The problem may not be that Woolworths can use the logo on its retail stores, but rather that the company has applied for a blanket trademark to use the logo on anything it sells. That means that if Woolworths decides it wants to sell computers, it could use the logo.

While the logos aren’t that similar, putting it on computers or MP3 players may be enough to confuse some consumers. Woolworths said they “can’t rule anything out,” but have no plans at the moment for computer products.

Hans Hulsbosch, the man who designed the logo, said Apple was taking trademark protection “to the extreme.”

Daring Fireball’s John Gruber has a point too, saying “this might be one of those things where Apple is obligated to fight just to protect their own copyright.”

Apple is well-known in the industry for protecting its designs, whether it be art, or the designs of its computers or iPods.

Phillip

If Woolworth’s said they “can’t rule anything out,” then I think Apple can go after them. If Woolworth’s wants to exclude the logo from any electronic device, then apple should back off.
Christopher

The logo’s don’t look similar in the least. Depends on what Australian regulators say though.
Jim Dalrymple

I doubt that Apple will give up on this.
jr

Apples are apples. I hope the sultans of spin are reading this.
stacy

Really? I think this is absurd. Maybe it is a kumquat.
Torstein A.

It does not look anything like the Apple logo. They need to drop this suit. There are better fights to pick.
Natalie Bourke

It is great to see Apple protecting their trademark – and having close connection with somebody in the Woolworths industry, I believe it is about time Woolworths have been stood over by another large company, rather than trying to outdo smaller businesses with the power it so often uses and abuses.
Cairns Logo Girl

Perhaps it's just an unripe pumpkin.

I'm glad to see Apple being protective over their trademark too, but there are extremes being pushed here.
Cohenmc

I am starting up my own brand of computers with my own fruit logo. Do you think it will work?
They are called ‘Lemon’ computers.
http://www.whatisamedicalassistant.org what is a medical assistant

This can be looked at in a couple of ways. It does not seem to be a big problem in that the logo looks similar to apple, if they will not be using the logo to promote computers. But if they do promote computer products, then it seems unfair for them to have that kind of access.