Apple to Woolworths: Your New Logo Is Too Apple-y

Date: 5 Oct 2009

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woolworths_apple_logoWhen it comes to defending their trademarks and logos, no company is more fervent than Apple. If they could challenge Victoria School of Business and Technology for having a logo too similar to theirs, then you can certainly expect them to sue Woolworths, especially if Woolworths’ trademark application is a blanket one, extending to electrical goods and technology.

Woolworths nowadays sells a wide variety of goods. A Woolworths spokesman said: ”While we can’t rule anything out, we haven’t got any plans (when it comes to computers and gadgetry) at the moment.” But is their logo an apple, or does it even look like one? The Australian-based Woolworths claims that their logo is simply a stylized “W” paired with an “abstract leaf symbol”. One could, however, also say that it’s a stylized person with outstretched arms, or an “apple being peeled”.

Woolworths has tried to avoid using the word “apple”, and the designer of the logo, Hans Hulsbosch, claims Apple is taking thingss too far. ”Based on this logic, they would have to take action against every fruit-seller,” he said. However, one has to admit that the two logos have similarities, and that there’s actually a good chance (unlike the Victoria School of Business and Technology’s case) of Woolworths selling devices similar to those sold by Apple.

What do you think? Are Apple’s and Woolworths’ logos too similar? Is Apple protecting its logo too vigorously? Please, give your opinion in the comments.

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