China Daily reports that Apple has filed an action against China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce trademark appraisal committee following a dispute over the company’s logo.
Apple has already successfully registered its trademark in China to use its logo on computers, but the company attempted to extend that trademark protection to clothing as well. The trademark appraisal committee rejected Apple’s request, citing the similarity of a previously registered trademark held by Guangdong Apples Industrial Co., a manufacturer of leather goods and clothing.
Both Apple’s and Guangdong Apples’ logos feature stylized imagery of an apple. Apple’s logo features a bite taken out, while Guangdong Apples’ logo features an intact apple with a stem and leaf instead of just a leaf. Guangdong Apples’ logo has been recognized by the trademark bureau since 1998. The committee rejected Apple’s application to extend its trademark to clothing in June, 2003.
The committee defends its action, saying that the logos are similar enough that they may be confused by consumers. What’s more, the committee said that Apple has failed to demonstrate that it’s as influential in clothing as it is in computers.