Jobs Mini Me Doll Sales Stopped By Apple Lawyers

The Steve Jobs tribute doll, created by toy manufacturer In Icons has been pulled from the market.

In a statement, the manufacturer said that although the figurine was designed as a mark of respect and admiration for the iconic CEO, the company had come under “immense pressure” from Apple lawyers and the Jobs family and, out of respect for the family’s wishes, would not be selling the figurine, which was to be available from February.

A sign of admiration

“I fully respect Steve, and his family, and it is definitely not my wish or intention that they be upset. Though we still believe that we have not overstepped any legal boundaries, we have decided to completely stop the offer, production and sale of the Steve Jobs figurine out of our heartfelt sensitivity to the feelings of the Jobs family,” said the company.

Recently, the Telegraph reported that Apple had sent a letter to the Chinese manufacturer in which it stipulated that any toy that resembled its “logo, person’s name, appearance or likeness of its products is a criminal offence”.

The one sixth sized likeness of Jobs, included his trademark blue jeans and turtle neck, various pairs of interchangeable hands, a bar stool and “One more thing” back drop.

However, the manufacturer claimed that “We respect copyright and trademark rights and therefore indicated on our site that we were not providing any Mac, iPhone and iPad models with the figurine. Further, we haven’t used any Apple related brands.”

A spokesperson for In Icons added that the company would be providing full refunds to fans who had pre-ordered the figurine.

Since his death in October 2011, Steve Jobs has received a great deal of attention and tributes, with one Hungarian company having commissioned a bronze statue to commemorate the Apple founder.