Apple has threatened In Icons with a lawsuit over its Steve Jobs action figure; however, the firm says they 'will not stop', reports the Telegraph and ABC News.
The action figure which we reported on earlier this week is being sold online for $99.99. Shipping was set for next month; however, a letter from Apple could put an end to that.
In Icons says they've received a letter from the company which claims any toy that resembles the technology company's logo, person's name, appearance or likeness of its products is a criminal offense.
Tandy Cheung, who heads up In Icons, is unfazed.
"Apple can do anything they like," Cheung said. "I will not stop, we already started production. I love [Jobs] very much and I think there are a lot of people like me who want to have his action figure."
Cheung says he has consulted several lawyers in Hong Kong who told him he wasn't in violation as long as he doesn't include any Apple products with the figure.
"Steve Jobs is not an actor, he's just a celebrity... There is no copyright protection for a normal person," Cheung said. "Steve Jobs is not a product... so I don't think Apple has the copyright of him."
Lawrence Townsend, an attorney at Owen, Wickersham and Erickson told ABC that the action figure is in "clear violation of the right of publicity" a state law that protects an individual's identity, voice, image, photograph or signature from being used commercially without consent. It's unclear if Apple would be successful in applying the state law to a company in Hong Kong.
Hit the link below to check out the action figure...
Read More [via Telegraph] [via ABC]
The action figure which we reported on earlier this week is being sold online for $99.99. Shipping was set for next month; however, a letter from Apple could put an end to that.
In Icons says they've received a letter from the company which claims any toy that resembles the technology company's logo, person's name, appearance or likeness of its products is a criminal offense.
Tandy Cheung, who heads up In Icons, is unfazed.
"Apple can do anything they like," Cheung said. "I will not stop, we already started production. I love [Jobs] very much and I think there are a lot of people like me who want to have his action figure."
Cheung says he has consulted several lawyers in Hong Kong who told him he wasn't in violation as long as he doesn't include any Apple products with the figure.
"Steve Jobs is not an actor, he's just a celebrity... There is no copyright protection for a normal person," Cheung said. "Steve Jobs is not a product... so I don't think Apple has the copyright of him."
Lawrence Townsend, an attorney at Owen, Wickersham and Erickson told ABC that the action figure is in "clear violation of the right of publicity" a state law that protects an individual's identity, voice, image, photograph or signature from being used commercially without consent. It's unclear if Apple would be successful in applying the state law to a company in Hong Kong.
Hit the link below to check out the action figure...
Read More [via Telegraph] [via ABC]