James Delahunty
27 Sep 2006 20:14
Apple Computer Inc. has sent cease and desist letters to a number of firms it believes to be using the word "pod" unfairly. The iPod maker has ordered them to stop using "pod" and "podcast" in the names of their services and products because it leads consumers to believe they are tied with Apple's offerings. Apple is currently seeking to obtain trademark rights for the word pod.
The company behind the services Podcastready and Mypodder has received a letter from Apple. "As you may be aware, Apple has used its IPOD mark since at least as early as October 2001. Since that time, the IPOD trademark has become famous. Moreover, the term POD has also been adopted and used extensively in the marketplace by consumers as an abbreviation to refer to Apple's IPOD player." the letter reads.
"While Apple, of course, has no general objection to proper use of the descriptive term "podcast" as part of a trademark for goods and services offered in the podcasting field, it cannot allow marks that go beyond this legitimate use and infringe on Apple's rights in POD and IPOD." Infostructure Solutions has until October 5th to respond to the legal letter.
Source:
The Register