This probably shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but British television network ITV has responded to the rumor that Apple plans to
rename the Apple TV as... iTV. Now, Apple's no stranger to using names which are already trademarked -- if you'll recall, Fujitsu
used to own iPad and Cisco
owned iPhone before Apple took care of all of that with its gigantic piles of money. Well, someone at ITV is apparently not pleased to hear that iTV is one of the next Apple products, with a report in
The Mirror this morning citing unnamed sources which described its executives as "furious," and hints that litigation is not out of the realm of possibility.
Pocket Lint's contacted an ITV spokesperson for a more official take on the matter, and ITV's
director of Communications, Mike Large, says that ITV has a "strong brand" with a "highly valued IP," that ITV is a household name in the UK, and that it has "vigorously defended" its IP in the past. Of course, assuming Apple does go ahead with the iTV name, it could always choose to call it something else in the UK, and it's also worth noting that ITV has been fighting to gain the US mark for the name since at least 2006, and has so far failed to do so. While ITV seems to have done a pretty good job at dodging any direct questions about lawsuits, it's pretty clear that the network wants to let everyone know from the outset that they're not going to ignore this one.
posted August 13th 2010 11:27AM
All apple needs to do is add a feature to the iTV where it automatically cuts to iAds at pivotal moments during major sporting events and the problem is solved
Didn't they make space 1999?
Apple can always use iTele, iWatch, iView, iTube or something else. But, knowing Apple they'll do whatever they want and "handle" the aftermath.
Yeah they say that now, but remember when Apple settled with Apple records under the condition they never enter the music distribution business? We all know how long that lasted. Litigation or not, I think ITV is screwed...
Apple should steal there logo aswell.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lewisf695/4900147838/
Whether or not this is based on fact or fiction, Apple would struggle with the iTV brand in more countries than the UK. ITV, the network sell their shows across the world. Currently a show like Midsummer Murder is shown at home(Oslo) on channels from 3 Scandinavian countries.
Im not sure if ITV own any of the rights for, but shows like Pop Idol (American Idol) then X-Factor, Who wants to be a Millionaire, Celebrity Fit club are sold and remade all over the place after first being aired on ITV.
I do often still see at the end of crime/drama shows statements like. made by Granada or Carlton, which are regional subsidiaries of ITV.
Not sure if Apple even by tabling billions of $/£ (very unlikely for a new product / by product) that the UK goverment (or even the whole EU) would allow it as ITV is locked down with loads licenses and laws as is a governmental granted public service.