News
Apple threatens company over usage of ‘iPed’ name
Thought Out, the company behind the iPed line of iPod stands, has been hit with a cease and desist notice from Apple regarding the use of the iPed product name. The accessory maker said Apple lawyers sent the letter on Monday, stating that the iPed name could confuse consumers, and weakens Apple’s brand strength.
“Thought Out’s position on this matter is currently neutral with no wishes to construe Apple or any consumer of either product brand,” the company told iLounge. “We simply created a well received product for the iPod consumer. The name iPed was derived from the word i-Ped-estal (with a definition posted on our website - and now the home page). Thought Out’s actions have not been decided for Apple’s request.”
Thought Out currently offers the iPed (iLounge rating: B-), the iPed 2 (iLounge rating: A-), and the iPed shuffle (iLounge rating: B+).
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1
I don’t know about others, but iApple is starting to act just plain iStupid. They are becoming like other major corporations that I was liked, but now iLoathe.
I hereby order iApple to cease and desist or Steve will be out of a iJob.
Posted by FahrenheiPod 451 on June 7, 2005 at 8:08 AM (PST)
2
Guess I should rethink my line of middle fingers called “fJobs”.
Posted by PushButtonAction in Atlanta, GA on June 7, 2005 at 8:11 AM (PST)
3
That’s Apple for ya. Always looking out for the people who love them the most.
Posted by stark23x on June 7, 2005 at 9:30 AM (PST)
4
well look at the mikeroesoft.com that microsoft went after. How is iPed any different when the “e” could be mistaken for an “o” cause from a distance it looks like “iPod” I know this is just a stand, but some people might get it confused.
Posted by MATRIXsjd in Burbank, Ca on June 7, 2005 at 10:32 AM (PST)
5
The word may be confusing, but this product doesn’t compete or take away from the iPod Brand strength. It’s an accessory that if anything build upon the iPod Brand.
Posted by croooow in Fairfax, VA on June 7, 2005 at 11:27 AM (PST)
6
Probably not in their minds. What is the iPod brand about? Quality, design, etc. Now how does the iPed fit into that? Maybe not too well in the eyes of Apple. So it may not build on anything—it may be diminishing the brand from Apple’s POV.
Posted by Gatsby003 in New York on June 7, 2005 at 12:01 PM (PST)
7
It clearly will strengthen Apple’s brand’ with my fool-proof generalising scenario:
1. Person buys iPed mistaking it for an iPod
2. Recieve’s iPed and realises mistake
3. Decides ‘hey, if I’ve got an iPed I might as well buy an iPod to go in it now’
4. Orders iPod
5. Apple makes money
Posted by callused on June 7, 2005 at 2:58 PM (PST)
8
Wasn’t the name “iPod” ripped off from the name “iPaq”?
Posted by burdell1 on June 7, 2005 at 3:44 PM (PST)
9
“Wasn’t the name “iPodâ€? ripped off from the name “iPaqâ€??”
I’m sorry, you must be confusing Apple with some other company. See, Apple is perfect and never steals anything from anyone.
Would you like to buy a bridge?
Posted by stark23x on June 7, 2005 at 4:08 PM (PST)
10
iPaq was a desktop ripoff of iMac. It eventually became a handheld, which is why iPaq and iPod, both handhelds, could seem confusing.
Apple is not trying to kill the iPed, they just need them to change the name.
It’s not like they are suing them.
Posted by minty on June 7, 2005 at 4:39 PM (PST)
11
Well I think that McDonald’s should sue Apple for misleading the public with their products.
The other day I bit into an iMac thinking it was a bigMac (the words are nearly identical when you’re standing 20’away and really hungry) and was nearly electrocuted!
Posted by agentparas on June 7, 2005 at 5:25 PM (PST)
12
lol @ agentparas
Posted by OMGWTFSTFU in United States on June 7, 2005 at 8:25 PM (PST)
13
Apple, don’t become another Microsoft. Switching to Intel processors was bad enough, now you’re starting to act like them…
Posted by pakkman781 in TN on June 7, 2005 at 10:29 PM (PST)
14
When will some of you guys realise - Apple is a corporation just like Microsoft, GM, Ford, McDonalds et al.
They are not some hippy-like commune who’s sole aim is to make your life easier and better.
Their sole aim is to make money and increase their stock value.
Posted by PugRallye on June 8, 2005 at 12:42 AM (PST)
15
“They are not some hippy-like commune who’s sole aim is to make your life easier and better.’
Damn, and after all these years I thought…
Posted by FahrenheiPod 451 on June 8, 2005 at 6:48 AM (PST)
16
Must have been a slow day at Apple Legal.
Posted by jinzo-ningen on June 9, 2005 at 2:04 PM (PST)
17
Well put PugRallye!
We’d be thrown overboard in a heartbeat if alone on a life raft with Stevie Wonderboy and one canteen of water…
Posted by Alan on June 12, 2005 at 8:57 AM (PST)