Apple Wins EU Challenge Over Keyboard Maker's Citrus Logo
Source: MacRumors
Background
Apple opposed a European trademark filing by Chinese keyboard maker Yichun Qinningmeng Electronics Co.. The company, which produces mechanical keyboards, keycaps, and also sells solar panels, sought to register a logo depicting a citrus fruit whose lower segments are rendered as keyboard keys, with a green leaf angled leftward at the top and a missing slice on the right side. Part of the company’s name translates to a citrus fruit, explaining the design choice.
EUIPO Decision
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) partially refused to grant the European Union Trade Mark after Apple’s opposition. The Opposition Division concluded:
- The figurative element of the contested sign is likely perceived as a generic round‑shaped fruit rather than a specific apple.
- Although the logo contains “minor commonalities” with Apple’s logo, the overall visual similarity is very low, and the signs are not conceptually similar.
Nevertheless, the EUIPO ruled largely in Apple’s favor because of Apple’s strong reputation in the EU and the risk that consumers could form a mental “link” between the two signs.
Apple’s Argument
Apple argued that the citrus logo would unfairly exploit Apple’s reputation, stating:
“Given the immense reputation of the Opponent’s Earlier Mark, it is hard to believe that the Applicant’s intention was not, at the very least, to bring the Opponent’s Apple Logo to mind in some way. More likely, the Application represents a deliberate attempt to take advantage of that reputation to offer identical and highly similar goods. As a result, the addressed public, when confronted with the Applicant’s sign, will wrongly assume that the Application indicates a connection to Apple (i.e., that the Applicant is a supplier or manufacturer).”
Outcome
- The trademark application for keyboards and related computer goods was rejected.
- The application to use the logo for solar panels may proceed, and the company can file a notice of appeal within two months.
Related Disputes
- Apple and Yichun Qinningmeng also faced a trademark dispute in the United States; the U.S. application was terminated after the Chinese company failed to respond to opposition proceedings.
- Apple frequently opposes dozens of trademark applications worldwide, including a case where a pear‑shaped logo with a leaf was contested, and an Apple logo used by a Norwegian political party.
Tags: European Union, Trademark
This article first appeared on MacRumors.com.