Steve Jobs Action Figure Sells Online Despite Apple Opposition
Apple Inc. is known to be aggressive in protecting its intellectual property rights. It has successfully blocked the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy S 2 in select countries, it convinced Chinese authorities to close two fake Apple stores, and its runs after everyone that uses its marks and logos, including Amazon for using the "Appstore" to sell apps.
Now a Chinese manufacturer, In Icons, is selling 12-inch action figures of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. The dolls, complete with Jobs's trademark blue jeans, sneakers and black turtleneck sweater, are available for US$99. The package comes with a pair of black socks, some glasses, a leather belt, two apples (one with a bite taken out of it), a bar stool and a "One More Thing" backdrop.
The company said on its Web site that the dolls will start shipping in late February.
As expected, Apple is unhappy and has reportedly warned the Chinese manufacturer that any toy that resembles the technology company's logo, person's name, appearance or likeness of its products is a "criminal offence."
In Icon boss Tandy Cheung, according to reporting by The Next Web, however said, the company intends to sell the dolls despite Apple's warnings.
Apple could "do anything they like," adding the company "will not stop, we already started production."
Cheung has reportedly been told by lawyers in Hong Kong that that he was not violating Apple's intellectual property as long as he didn't include any Apple products.
"Steve Jobs is not an actor, he's just a celebrity... There is no copyright protection for a normal person. Steve Jobs is not a product... so I don't think Apple has the copyright of him," The Next Web cited Cheung as saying.
Apple was able to stop the sale of a Steve Jobs figurine created by MIC Gadget in 2010. But for now, Apple has not obtained an injunction and has not taken down Web sites selling the In Icons collectible.
So far, the Steve Jobs dolls are available at these sites:
1. The In Icons Web site at $99.99 without shipping, and US$109.99 with shipping (to U.S.)
2. Postings by select resellers at ebaY for $135.