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Apple takes legal action against small company with pear logo (iphoneincanada.ca)

771 points by _qulr · 2246 days ago · 333 comments on HN

Article summary

Apple has taken legal action against a small company called Prepear, which has a pear-shaped logo, claiming it is too similar to Apple's logo. Prepear is a meal planning and grocery list app with only five staff members, and the legal costs have already been significant. The company has started a petition on Change.org to gather support and raise awareness about the issue. Apple's opposition to the trademark application is currently in the discovery phase, with Prepear arguing that the case is frivolous and an example of a big company bullying a small one.

Main themes

  • trademark law
  • big company vs small company
  • legal bullying
  • rebranding costs
  • anti-bullying laws
  • corporate power dynamics

What commenters say

  • The lawsuit is an example of a big company using its resources to bully a small one, and is likely to be successful due to the high legal costs involved.
  • The case is frivolous and Apple's claims of trademark infringement are unfounded, as the two logos are clearly distinct.
  • The English rule of attorneys' fees, where the loser pays the winner's legal fees, would help prevent such cases from being brought in the first place.
  • Rebranding is not a viable option for Prepear due to the high costs involved, and the company should focus on fighting the lawsuit instead.
  • Apple's actions may be a deliberate attempt to damage Prepear's reputation and finances, rather than a genuine concern about trademark infringement.
  • The case highlights the need for anti-bullying laws to protect small companies from being taken advantage of by larger ones.
  • Trademark law requires vigilance, but in this case, Apple's actions are excessive and unjustified.