Apple closes book on iPhone-look jotter
Branded paper pushes envelope
Apple has flexed its legal muscles and forced a company selling iPhone-esque notepads to cease trading.
The Notepod was a cute scribble-pad with a design based on the iPhone. Until recently, customers could order a set of three for just over a tenner.
Unfortunately, the notepad can no longer be shipped after Apple unsurprisingly closed the operation down.
The Notepod website now reads:
"We have complied with a request from Apple to cease and desist sales of our product. All orders to 14th September 2010 have been fulfilled, and no further orders may be taken. If you have any questions, please email us."
The Cupertino giant recently sued a teenager for selling white iPhone conversion kits and is busy in court with bigger fish too, namely Samsung.
No matter how big the operation, Apple remains vigilant against anyone who tries to cash in on the back of the company's success. Scribble thing suppliers, take note. ®
COMMENTS
Doesn't have to go out of business,
Change the single button on the bottom to a "Home" key and a "Menu" key and a "Back Arrow" key and a "Search" key. Maybe diddle with the white rectangle size and, Presto! It's now an Android phone, not an iPhone. Hard for Apple to get a "cease and desist" order on that and I would think Google would appreciate the free advertising.
My coat's the one with the LG Optimus S in the inside pocket.
Pathetic
Honestly, what harm were they doing? Are Apple planning on making a range of notepads themselves now? No. I didn't think so.
If anything it was flattery.
Apple, just grow the f*ck up.
The company should come back with a Nokia themed one, Nokia need every bit of promotion they can get!
Shame on you Mr Jobs!
People should have the guts to take Apple the bully on. They have great products and I myself am a Mac user but I abhor bullies such as this. It is not what I expect from one entrepreneurs like Jobs ... What harm would it have done for Apple to buy the notepads exclusively from them and resell them at Apple stores. Instead they force a company to go out of business. Shame on you Mr Jobs!
protection
"grow the f*ck up" ???
why dont you start your own business and produce something that others copy, then you might appreciate the position.
If they let this slide, then they are effectively saying that their patent application for the design was pointless. If they dont protect it fully, then it opens the gates for others to copy.
When you get yourself in this position you *might* start to appreciate the need to *have* to protect your IP.
in fact, for anyone that has a company and DOESNT protect their designs, they are the ones who should "just grow the f*ck up"
there goes my plans
to own the feminine hygiene market with my own custom iPads. Does that make it black and white and red (sic) all over?
