Apple: Not Cool With Woolworths’ Logo, Not Suing

Want Apple-like imagery in your logo? Prepare to tussle with Apple, provided you deal in any sort of electronics. That’s what’s going down in Australia right now, as the Mac and iPod maker has filed a trademark opposition to the proposed logo of Woolworths, a grocery store chain. But don’t worry about the local farm: Woolworths’ services do include electronics, so Apple’s not just hating on any company that has orchard fruit in its logo.

Besides, as Engadget’s Nilay Patel points out, the whole situation has become a bit overblown. Apple’s not actually suing anyone, and trademark oppositions are common procedure for attorneys who handle this sort of thing. This particular story just happens to fit the Apple narrative (if you hate Apple, that is): Arrogant global company muscles unrelated business for using common imagery, to which said arrogant company thinks it is entitled.

While it’s unfortunate that this trademark opposition was interpreted as a lawsuit by some, I don’t agree with Patel that the story isn’t worth covering in the first place. It may not be as significant as, say, Apple’s battle over “Pod,” but it’s interesting to know. Just in case I open my own grocery store that sells electronics. [The Age via Engadget]