Apple's POD trademark app faces more opposition

We're pretty sure Apple faces about as much legal heat as every other big time corporation out there, but ever since Cisco invited Apple (or vice-versa?) to a few rounds of throwdown, "Apple" and "trademark" just seem to go hand in hand. Apparently, the POD moniker that has caught so much flack over the years is facing a slew of additional opponents, who apparently think the oh-so-coveted three letter word fits better in its own name. PodFitness, Inc., Secure-It, Inc., Varsity Group Inc., TastyBytes Software, Inc., VNU Media Measurement & Information, Inc., and Line 6, Inc. (makers of the highly-regarded "POD" lineup of guitar effects processors) are all crying foul on Apple's notoriously tight grip, but considering that all the filings are still marked as "pending," we can only assume the war wages on. Nevertheless, some of the filings stretch back to 2004, and although most things like this have a way of simply "vanishing" over time, we're fairly certain the grumpy plaintiffs are (at least somewhat) enjoying that "instituted for proceeding" bit. So while opposition continues to flail helplessly as it tries to disarm the almighty POD from Steve and Co., we're still left wondering how everyone and their next of kin can prefix any product at all with "i" without raising a fuss.

[Thanks, Nikropht]

[Neebs @ Feb 8th 2007 5:42PM]

I don't know how Apple wins these suits. "POD" is a word in the dictionary.

[Brendan @ Feb 8th 2007 5:47PM]

Of course you can prefix your product name with 'I'... just don't you dare use the lower case version.

[Bryan @ Feb 8th 2007 7:16PM]

The use of "i" in front of other words was used by many companies before Apple made it famous by putting it in front of POD. The fact that it is so overdone now makes it seem a bit lame for their new phone.

[Mat @ Feb 8th 2007 5:53PM]

Does anyone else think it's odd that Microsoft is always a large tag? There's never anything interesting news from them... Engadget Tags --->

[Anonymous @ Feb 8th 2007 7:39PM]

Of course, there's also PODS... as in Portable On Demand Storage, based in FL. They've been around longer than the iPOD.

[Shoaib @ Feb 8th 2007 8:01PM]

What about the band P.O.D.? Is apple going to sue them also?

[Paul @ Feb 8th 2007 8:12PM]

Is this a halloween picture, or do people this this actually exist?

[jagrjones @ Feb 8th 2007 9:09PM]

It's one thing to use the word "pod" but its another to act like you own it, as Apple has. These other companies are simply following Apple's own example.

[John Doe @ Feb 8th 2007 9:52PM]

I swear to god Apple arrogance has increased exponentially from quarter to quarter. Personally if I ever met Jobs I'd deck the SOAB, or pie him.

[Brandon Hays @ Feb 8th 2007 11:05PM]

I work for Podfitness, but only have a passing knowledge of Apple's dislike of our use of "Pod". Obviously I'm pretty biased, but I'm pretty certain they don't have any exclusive claim to it. Line 6's Pod was around much earlier as well, so what gives?

What astonishes me is the ferocity with which they pursue the "Pod" thing, saying it's theirs, while simultaneously ignoring the fact that Cisco owns the iPhone trademark!

My two cents, anyway.

[KC @ Feb 9th 2007 12:16AM]

Pea farmers should sue Apple for the conflicting and confusing name that they use. I can just see it in the headlines now.

[Adrian @ Feb 9th 2007 3:07AM]

I'm bored of iWhatever or soemthingPod and the gold digging people who go after Apple. Please Apple come up with something better than iPhone for us ... Microsoft managed to get creative with Zune.

[Steve @ Feb 9th 2007 9:07AM]

Steve Jobs would trademark air or water if he could. Talk about a Meglomaniac.

[TriZz @ Feb 9th 2007 4:02PM]

iSuck

[unicore @ Feb 9th 2007 6:40PM]

Flak, not Flack.

[Gundy @ May 22nd 2008 5:30AM]

Our small company ProWess Sports (in Australia) have just been successful in winning a decision against an Apple opposition to the trademark STATSPOD !!!! Finally a little guy has won !!!