The little mouse that could, did.
Generate a lawsuit that is. Apple Inc. and CBS are being sued by a Maryland-based company called Man & Machine for use of the name “Mighty Mouse” for Apple’s innovative little input device. Apparently Man & Machine had dibs on the name as it pertains to input devices, as in waterproof and chemical-resistant industrial-strength mice.
It’s a very circuitous story, actually. I thought naming Apple’s new mouse after the super-rodent we all know and love might result in legal tussles, but when they never materialized I figured Steve took care of it ahead of time. And he did. Apple bought the rights to the name from CBS, who had owned it since 1955, for their new benippled, buttonless wonder.
Then, suddenly, out of a blue sky swoops in Man & Machine, coming to save the day. Apparently they came out with their hospital/lab-friendly version of Mighty Mouse more than a year before Apple’s version, and they now claim that the name, in the context of computer peripherals, belongs to them, thereby compelling themselves to sue both Apple and CBS for the injustice. Man & Machine wants to block Apple’s use of the Mighty Mouse name and get some cash for their trouble. (I think we all know why they took this long to sue, don’t we?)
If they succeed, any suggestions on a new name for it? Mightier Mouse? Rodent Roller? Mouse-k-Steer?
(Via 9to5Mac)
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:15 am
Man & Machine, Inc. declines to discuss its trademark-infringement complaint against Apple, Inc. and CBS Corporation, the underlying merits of the case, or any related settlement discussions, since the litigation remains pending. Meanwhile, we remain committed to protecting our rights to the MIGHTY MOUSE trademark and also to finding a fair resolution for all involved parties.
Man & Machine designs and manufactures a completely customizable line of hygienic, cost-effective, water-resistant computer keyboards and mice. They are distinguished by their ability to be washed and disinfected, and matchless in their rugged, sealed design, 100% latex-free silicone construction ideal for medical, healthcare, dental, and institutional environments – the best of breed choice anywhere safety, durability and user health are priorities.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
No Rodney you don’t get paid for having a goofy name, no matter how many times you write “lol.”
CBS doesn’t get to sue either, because Man & Machine owned the rights to the name Mighty Mouse in terms of computer mice, acessories and the like. CBS is getting sued for selling those same rights to another company, which is very uncool.
As for checking product names before naming the product, perhaps you fail to see the point of the lawsuit: Man & Machine came out with their product first, so in reality Apple is the company that should have checked before naming their product. They can’t be allowed to do whatever they want because they’re big and Man & Machine is the little guy.
By the way, names can’t be copyrighted and Robots was a lame movie.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Personally, I think this Man & Machine should have checked names and trademarks before pitching MIGHTY MOUSE as a name for a product. Cmon. The name has been in existence for decades. The superhero also known as Yellow Cheese has been in our tv sets for years. Should it be that CBS be the one to file a lawsuit against Man & Machine?
Should this trial be awarded to Man & Machine, I wonder what grounds will they win with?
Knowing Apple, I’m sure they get sued at least five times a year (or maybe more). This is nothing new to them.
Does that mean I get to sue every Dreamworks for using my name (Rodney) in their film “ROBOTS” without my permission? LOL.