Apple legal is taking on China in a spat over trademark ownership for clothes. The computer company has launched legal action against China"s trademark appraisal committee (Part of China"s State Administration for Industry and Commerce). This follows the June 2003 rejection of Apple"s request for trademark on its Apple logo on a range of clothing.
Apple"s request was denied because Apple"s logo is similar to that of the Guangdong Apples Industrial Co for its clothing, which is also trademarked. The two logos are pictured here. Apple accuses that company of making "illegal profits" through trademark infringement, according to the China Daily, which adds that the Chinese firm"s Apple logo lacks the computer company"s "bite" motif. The first hearing took place in the Beijing Intermediate People"s Court yesterday. Apple asked the court to affirm that its Apple logo is "a famous one" and to approve its trademark.