Apple get all legal on DiD's ass over Steve Jobs figure

[Eli26]

Would the law even apply to someone in China?

DiD is a Japanese company.

 

[VoidDweller]

DiD is a Japanese company.

According to their company information, DID is based in Hong Kong and have factories in China. They also produce products for other toy companies like Bandai in Japan.

 

[Lejuan]

Yeah he was a innovator, but myself wouldn't want this figure. Give me some real icons such as Team SEAL 6.

Hot Toys, Soldier Story and Very Hot have you covered with their DEVGRU figures

Do you own any Christian Bale as Batman figures?

You have Brando on your shelf...just saying

That could be said for some celebrities Hot Toys and others have made.

Correction: To my eyes I have Batman and Don Vito on my shelf, not Bale and Brando. I buy film figures for the character, not the actor and y'all know the difference you naughty boys

Mel Gibson: ******. But I'd still buy a Max Rockatansky figure.
Tom Cruise: ******. But I'd still buy... er... well if he ever plays a character I dig, I'd buy it.

Historical figures though, I need to not see their douchery for me to have them in my collection.

 

[wookster]

The real question is: why would you even buy one?

Who here actually wants this figure?

Me, why not, I don't see the problem

 

[Firebird]

Just say the figure is free and then charge $100 for shipping & handling.

 

[willocrew]

My thoughts exactly. How does Apple own the likeness of Jobs himself?

Apple does not own the personality rights of Steve Jobs. That personality right (a proprietary right) rests with Steve Job's estate/family...depending on the particular state legislation (some US states have legislation preserving a person's personality rights even after their death).

That being said, apple may have some control over the extent in which third parties may use Steve Job's reputation/identity/likeness. This is because Steve Job's reputation and identity is very closely linked and tied with the apple brand. This means that third parties may very well get sued if they use Steve Job's reputation/likeness in a way that permits that third party to take advantage of apple's business goodwill (ie the tort of passing off).

Bottom line is this, if someone makes a Steve jobs toy, apple probably can't do anything about it. But if someone starts a business using Steve Job's name and reputation in a way that may deceive people into thinking therre is a connection between that business and apple, and that customers can expect the same type of apple service they have come to expect, then it is illegal.

 

[Cheungkinmen]

"steve job's signature uniform" LMAO! it's just a pair of jeans and a black turtle neck shirt, hahahahaha.

 

[Raymond F.]

I love how the first one called it creepy. it IS creepy!