Tech businesses frequently copyright their logos or catchphrases like Windows or Galaxy. However, there are occasions where businesses register tens of thousands of trademarks (even when they are not required to do so) to fend off potential competitors who may use terms or emblems that are similar to those found in their flagship products. Apple can be more aggressive than most of its rivals in enforcing its IP (intellectual property) rights over competing businesses among these tech giants. The iPhone manufacturer, however, is going over and above by not just trademarking its half-bitten Apple (which it already has), but also by pursuing the entire fruit, Apple.
Apple is going after Fruit Union Suisse, a 111-year-old organization of fruit farmers, over the latter’s official logo. The organization’s logo is a red apple with the white Swiss flag cross superimposed on it. The Fruit Union Suisse’s logo is being reconsidered because of Apple’s efforts to get intellectual property rights on images of the fruit, according to The Wire.
Speaking about the proposed trademark, Fruit Union Suisse director Jimmy Mariethoz says Apple’s trademark claim has nothing to do with their half-bitten apple. He adds, “Their objective here is really to own the rights to an actual apple, which, for us, is almost universal… that should be free for everyone to use.”
Additionally, Mariethoz warns that Apple has been “very aggressive in pursuing things that it perceives as infringements on its trademarks,” adding that the group does not want to “compete” with the tech giant. Despite this, the Fruit Union Suisse is still optimistic because it has been in existence for more than a century. The Swiss court’s verdict could take months or perhaps years to render.
