Apple targets small businesses and non-profits across the United States for trademark infringement litigation, according to Campaign for Accountability, a non-profit watchdog.
Apple has filed 185 trademark opposition in the last three years more than twice as many as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Facebook combined.
“Apple’s overly aggressive trademark protection is nothing more than corporate bullying,” said Campaign for Accountability Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith. “Not only is Apple placing unnecessary financial burdens on dozens of small businesses and organizations, it insults its customers’ intelligence by insisting that these cases could even possibly result in brand confusion.”
In one case an academy providing educational services with a logo using the Greek letter pi in an apple was sued by the tech giant, lost its logo after spending more than $10,000 in graphic design and legal fees.
“Whoever in Apple is directing these trademark attorneys to take this tack must either imagine their litigiousness would remain hidden, or hold an extremely distorted view of ethical trademark enforcement,” added Kuppersmith. “Apple is the most valuable company in the world, and if these examples are indicative of a larger company culture, it seems willing stoop to any level to remain that way.”
