This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Legal
Apple sued over iCloud trademark
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 14 June 2011
Apple may have ensured it had the icloud.com domain name before launching its new digital locker service, but there could still be trademark issues regarding the use of the iCloud name. A US-based Voice-Over-IP company, called iCloud Communications, launched a trademark lawsuit last week, shortly after Apple chief Steve Jobs launched his iCloud product in San Francisco, claiming the IT giant’s use of the brand will cause confusion.
In its lawsuit, the iCloud company notes: “The goods and services with which Apple intends to use the ‘iCloud’ mark are identical to or closely related to the goods and services that have been offered by iCloud Communications under the iCloud marks since its formation in 2005. However, due to the worldwide media coverage given to and generated by Apple’s announcement of its ‘iCloud’ services and the ensuing saturation advertising campaign pursued by Apple, the media and the general public have quickly come to associate the mark ‘iCloud’ with Apple, rather than iCloud Communications”.
The iCloud company want an injunction to stop Apple from using their name, and damages for its use so far. Most suspect Apple will settle this one out of court, though, by paying iCloud Communications a not insignificant sum to get ownership of the name, which may well be the real aim of the VOIP company’s litigation.
