After briefly appearing online last week following Apple’s special event, the new iPod + iTunes commercial featuring rap music superstar Eminem is now back on the company’s website for viewing. There have also been reader reports that the 30-second spot began airing on TV over the weekend.
The ad, which was first shown by Apple CEO Steve Jobs during the event in San Jose, is a new 3D version of Apple’s well-known silhouette ads featuring the rapper singing his hit single “Lose Yourself” along with dancers and the new fifth-generation iPod.
The commercial came as somewhat of a surprise given the history between Apple and Eminem. The rapper’s music publisher, Eight Mile Style, filed a lawsuit against Apple in early 2004, claiming the iPod maker used “Lose Yourself” in a commercial for the iTunes Music Store without permission. The dispute was settled in May of this year, with Apple agreeing to pay Eminem and Eight Mile Style an undisclosed sum.
The disappearance of the commercial from Apple’s website without explanation sparked a bit of controversy online. Bloggers have speculated that Apple had pulled the ad because of its similarity to a three year old Lugz shoe commercial [video, screenshot comparison]. Others assumed that the ad was pulled because of a last minute demand from Eminem’s camp. Currently, no explanation has been given.