Apple To Sue Over Incredible Likeness Of Steve

Apple has threatened to sue Chinese toy makers over a new action figure of the late Steve Jobs.

The 12 inch doll, dubbed iCEO, was set to go on sale in February but the computing giant has put the brakes on its launch by threatening legal action to stop toy makers from trading.

Mini me

According to a Telegraph report, Apple stipulates in a letter to Chinese manufacturer, In Icons, that any toy that resembles its “logo, person’s name, appearance or likeness of its products is a criminal offence”.

The 1/6 likeness of the iconic CEO, already on sale on eBay’s website, includes his trademark blue jeans and turtle neck, various pairs of interchangeable hands, a bar stool and “One more thing” back drop.

This is not the first time a toy maker has tried to cash in on Jobs, according to the report. In 2010 MiC Gadget attempted to release its own Jobs action figure, but was stopped by Apple.

In an AFP report, DiD Corp, responsible for producing and distributing the figures, claims that it is not trying to smear Jobs’ name and did not include any Apple products.

A spokesperson told AFP that it is making the figures for Apple fans who really admire Steve Jobs and feel pity over his death”, adding that its aim is not to make a toy, but a collectible.

Steve Jobs died in October 2011 after losing a long battle with cancer.

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Iris Cheerin

View Comments

  • Puhlease!

    "A spokesperson told AFP that it is making the figures for Apple fans..."

    Right. And the shareholder and doing this for charity?

    This is an attempt to cash in, Full Stop.

  • Can't work out what's more sad, the fact Apple fans are buying Jobs dolls or that Apple is suing the manufacturer!

  • So does Apple OWN Steve Jobs' likeness now? The man clearly deserves any homage which can be given to him. Steve Jobs changed the entire world with his visionary outset and revamping of wireless media and communications. He’ll be a name which rings out through history for evolving the way we live, share and communicate. I was compelled to create a portrait of him, now In Memoriam on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/08/end-of-era-steve-jobs.html

    • Does this jobbie effigy come with a free coffin for complete miniature apple-fan mourners?

  • Interesting article, but any writer who puts an apostrophe in the middle of somebody's name, in the subtitle no less, should perhaps be considering a different career.

    • @lan The use of apostrophe is correct I thought. It's Steve's likeness, Jobs' likeness, ownership requires the apostrophe, no? You wouldn't put "Jobs's" would you? And it's not in the middle of his name either, is it? Just asking.

  • I'm sorry to say, BiscuitMonkey, that Ian was right. The story did originally have an embarrassing and unforgivable apostrophe... (shudder) Job's.

    The perpetrator has been reprimanded and dipped in molten lead.

    Peter Judge

    • If you want an embarrassing and unforgivable apostrophe, there's still one in Dave's comment! :)

      • Thank you for a laugh on a cold morning. Just to add der captain pedantic ..
        Steve Jobs toys is correct cos the name is of the toys...not belonging to Steve Jobs.
        Comments are sometimes cruel sometimes fun.
        At the end of the day, they're great from anyone.

  • There is no such thing as a unique human being except at the DNA level. Many times I been told someone saw me when in fact I could not have been there. Every one of us has maybe 100s of people who resemble. If this doll was being manufactured and sold as 'The Steve Jobs Doll' I would understand but for Apple to claim ownership of a 'likeness' is rubbish. US companies often try to use US idiotic law to protect so called rights. Back in the late 60's McDonalds tried to trademark their name in the UK. The trademark register refused so McDonalds took it to court. The court informed McDonalds that there were thousands of people in the UK with that name many of them predating McDonalds and as no one in the company was call McDonald how could they claim ownership of the name anyway. McDonalds settled for the trademark of the Golden Arches. This kind of behaviour is typical of US companies and should be just laughed at but the worrying thing is that the US government seems intent on a collision course with a number of countries. Taking people and companies to court in the US even they do not operate or live or even visit that country. The US does not understand the world, more and more the world does not understand the US this is worrying for the future peace of our planet.

    Before you judge someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way not only will you be a mile away from them but you will have their shoes as well.

  • Good luck with that, Apple. The Chinese will do what they want, when they want. Copywrite is pretty meaningless to them.

  • Who would buy that crap anyway? Everyone would question why you have one (weirdo alert) and buying one for your kids is just wrong.

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