Bad Apple?

[nihil]

I came across this:

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2005/04/28.9.shtml

It seems that Tiger Direct are suing Apple over the use of the name Tiger for its latest version of Mac OSX.

And there was me thinking that SCO had monopolised the bottom of the barrel

I really cannot see how a mail order/direct sales shop like TD can seriously consider Apple to be a competitor, let alone indulging in "unfair trading practices"

Perhaps the CEO of TD (I believe the "u" and "r" are missing ) would like to come to London zoo, and explain to those playful, furry little striped chaps and chapesses that they will have to change their name?

Hey..........................."Tiger Beer"...................this is getting serious folks

[allenb1963]

Part of Tigers case hinges on their trademark for "tiger" and how Apples choice of said trademark for their OS name has had an adverse affect on Tiger Directs placement on major search engines. Given that a large portion of their business comes from their website I can see how this could well affect their bottom line.

[ZT3000]

So allenb1963,

are you are saying that Tiger Direct is taking Apple to court because the Tiger OS name is ranking higher placement on a major search engine?
Is there some kind of law about this?

How could any poor soul be confused by finding references to Tiger OS as opposed to finding the Tiger Direct website where they can purchase some RAM??

I didn't know they let state hospital patients out onto the internet at large, especially without an escort.

[TigerShark, start looking for another name, buddy.]

[allenb1963]

Actually, I'm just repeating what Tiger Direct says and saying that I can see their point. If I had a trademarked name and another company used that name and made it harder for my customers to find me I'd be pissed....wouldn't you?

[MrLinus]

So does that mean Guinness Beer (or Guinness Records) should sue Red Hat for the Red Hat 7 release (codenamed: Guinness)?

[Tiger Shark]

ZT:

I'm sorry.... I was first described by Peron and Lessueur in 1822. The gave me the taxonomic name Squalus cuvier and I am named for the famous fish taxonomist Baron Georges Cuvier, (1769-1832). I was subsequently described by several others including Galeocerdo tigrinis by Faber back in 1822 as the type species for my genus. Several people have since tried renaming me including another two famous taxonomists, (Bleeker and Klunzinger), in the latter half of the 19th century. My, hopefully final, given name is Galeocerdo cuvier - which I like and will name my first boat....

Throughout the entire process of naming me and for centuries before I have been known as the Tiger Shark due to the dark vertical bars on my sides.

So.... Tiger Direct can bite me... They just need to be sure I don't bite back... They need to remember that, statistically I am by far the most dangerous animal where humans are concerned in the oceans of the world.... The Great White ain't nuttin' on me buddy.....

[nihil]

So.... Tiger Direct can bite me... They just need to be sure I don't bite back... They need to remember that, statistically I am by far the most dangerous animal where humans are concerned in the oceans of the world

As far as Tiger Direct are concerned YOU are the most dangerous animal?

You have a piece of plastic and can choose where to take it?

I still do not see how Apple and Tiger Direct are in competition..........and what the hell does a search engine order matter if I want a new HDD or whatever I would not even click on the Apple link..............or do Tiger Direct think that I do not know how to use a search engine and the internet? That is pretty insulting if you think about it?

[|3lack|ce]

It all boils down to being 'sue happy'. Tiger Direct sees a relatively cheap opportunity to gain money from Apple.

[nihil]

When a retailer starts taking the p1$$ out of a major manufacturer there is only one stock option:

sell, sell, sell.

Manufacturers know when to stick together?

[allenb1963]

Points well taken. A quick Google reveals that Tiger Direct was the #3 listing, while Apple occupies the #5 spot when searching for "tiger". So it does seem that TD is over-reacting.

But still allow me to play devils advocate here. Suppose you have a trademarked name, and suppose that you have spent thousands (or tens of thousands, I've seen it done before) of dollars to ensure a favorable placement on most search engines. You've paid big bucks to make sure that your meta-tags are just right, you've tweaked the names of the images on your pages all to reach that end. Then someone comes along, uses the name you have trademarked and nullifies all your efforts....wouldn't you be a bit upset? I'm not saying that litigation is the right course of action here...I'm just saying that if the above scenario played out and affected any of us personally or professionally that we too would be pissed.