Swatch insists 'one more thing' trademark connected to Columbo, not Apple

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  • Reply 21 of 82
    davidwdavidw Posts: 2,152member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by adm1 View Post

     

    Wasn't the Apple TV named so because there is a big UK broadcaster called ITV already, iirc everything else prior to this was i- prefixed


     

    I tend to believe, though there's no proof otherwise, that Apple chose Apple TV because there was already a well known product trademarked as "Eye TV".  

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  • Reply 22 of 82
    nagrommenagromme Posts: 2,834member
    It's 100% possible that someone at Swatch named a collection after a Colombo line.

    Let's not pretend certainty either way.

    "Tick different" has no such ambiguity...
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  • Reply 23 of 82
    solipsismysolipsismy Posts: 5,099member
    Other original options for Swatch slogans:

    1. Swatchegnügen.
    2. Time-onds Are Forever.
    3. Life’s A Journey. Enjoy The Time.
    4. You’re In Good [Watch] Hands.
    5. We Make Money The Old Fashioned Way...We Sell Outmoded Technology As Fashion Accessories.
    6. I'm Windin' It
    7. Wibbly Wobbly. Timey Windee.
    8. Reach Out And Time Someone.
    9. What Does The Watch Say (song and music video).
    10. Just Wear It.
    11. Wrist Lickin' Good.
    12. Good To The Last Tock.
    13. It's Every(Wear) You Want To Be.
    14. Time A Believer.
    15. Melts In Your Dali Painting, Not In Your Hands.



    nagromme wrote: »
    It's 100% possible that someone at Swatch named a collection after a Colombo line.

    Let's not pretend certainty either way.

    "Tick different" has no such ambiguity...

    If you are open to someone at Swatch, likening Switzerland(?), naming this after a TV character from the 70's and 80s, without any consideration for Apple's we'll worn slogan which surely has reached more people, then why aren't you open to the same possibility with "Tick different"? Why can't they have thought of it independently, under the same logical unawareness of Apple you presented? Furthermore, doesn't it being two slogans used by Apple add to an even smaller likelihood that it's all just a coincidence?
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  • Reply 24 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SolipsismY View Post





    If you are open to someone at Swatch, likening Switzerland(?), naming this after a TV character from the 70's and 80s, without any consideration for Apple's we'll worn slogan which surely has reached more people, then why aren't you open to the same possibility with "Tick different"? Why can't they have thought of it independently, under the same logical unawareness of Apple you presented? Furthermore, doesn't it being two slogans used by Apple add to an even smaller likelihood that it's all just a coincidence?

    In addition all their attention in comments and dissing has been primarily focused around Apple these days..... so yes, 100% certain -- no... but the preponderance of evidence for civil action ..... IMHO is easily met.  

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  • Reply 25 of 82
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,731member
    mcarling wrote: »
    Swatch's position is complete nonsense.  Trademarks are industry specific.  For example, Apple Computer, Inc. (now renamed Apple, Inc.) and Apple Music, Inc. (the Beatles' company) only had a trademark clash when Apple Computer, Inc. started to do music.  Columbo has nothing to do with the watch industry and is therefore completely irrelevant.  All trademark law disputes are judged primarily on the basis of whether or not consumers would be confused about the origin of a product.
    Fun fact connected to that. Many here probably remember the Apple notification sound "Sosumi" from back in the day. Yup, Apple wasn't supposed to create music per the Apple Music settlement. The name is a play on that.... "So Sue Me".
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  • Reply 26 of 82
    mcarling wrote: »
    Swatch's position is complete nonsense.  Trademarks are industry specific.  For example, Apple Computer, Inc. (now renamed Apple, Inc.) and Apple Music, Inc. (the Beatles' company) only had a trademark clash when Apple Computer, Inc. started to do music.  Columbo has nothing to do with the watch industry and is therefore completely irrelevant.  All trademark law disputes are judged primarily on the basis of whether or not consumers would be confused about the origin of a product.
    First of all, Just One More Thing is contextually way out in left field compared to One More Thing. Secondly, Tick Different should end all doubt.
    nagromme wrote: »
    It's 100% possible that someone at Swatch named a collection after a Colombo line.

    If Apple argued that "One more thing" used in Stevenotes was inspired by Steve Jobs' love of Columbo, the trolls would be up in arms.
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  • Reply 27 of 82
    davidwdavidw Posts: 2,152member

    The people in charge of naming products at Swatch needs a lesson in product naming. I would think that the first thing you don't want to do is name your product in such a way that it reminds consumers of your competitors.  It's one thing for Swatch to name a product line "One more thing", if the first thing consumers think of is Peter Falk as Columbo. But it's another when the consumers first think of Steve Jobs and Apple. 

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  • Reply 28 of 82
    levilevi Posts: 344member
    I can't think anything more lame than a Columbo inspired watch. Good luck with that.
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  • Reply 29 of 82
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    quinney wrote: »
    Since when are Columbo episodes considered film noir?

    He he - exactly my thought. In fact, that was the claim that confirmed everything else as bs. Swatch is just gently ruffling some feathers, creating a bit of a stir getting people to talk about them. I really don't think Apple is that concerned. Just because they have trademarked 'one more thing' does not mean that Tim Cook is not allowed to speak the words 'just one more thing' to a live audience. In fact, I suspect that the day ads and billboards advertising Swatch products use the words 'tick different' or 'one more thing', Apple will be the main beneficiary as the conversation will turn away from Swatch and to Apple.
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  • Reply 30 of 82
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    levi wrote: »
    I can't think anything more lame than a Columbo inspired watch. Good luck with that.
    It tells you the age of the Swatch marketing department.
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  • Reply 31 of 82
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by paxman View Post





    It tells you the age of the Swatch marketing department.

     

    Don't blame the marketing department..... I am pretty sure this starts at the CEO level.

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  • Reply 32 of 82
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    bkkcanuck wrote: »
    Don't blame the marketing department..... I am pretty sure this starts at the CEO level.
    In which case I can just imagine the poor people in the marketing dept banging their heads against their desks. :\
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  • Reply 33 of 82
    cornchipcornchip Posts: 1,954member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by paxman View Post





    It tells you the age of the Swatch marketing department.

     

     

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by bkkcanuck View Post

     

     

    Don't blame the marketing department..... I am pretty sure this starts at the CEO level.


     

    I'm sure they all think they're VERY clever...

     

    What they are forgetting is that:

     

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by paxman View Post



    Apple will be the main beneficiary as the conversation will turn away from Swatch and to Apple.

     

    Is what will happen.

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  • Reply 34 of 82
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SolipsismY View Post



    Other original options for Swatch slogans:

     

    1. Swatchegnügen.

    2. Time-onds Are Forever.

    3. Life’s A Journey. Enjoy The Time.

    4. You’re In Good [Watch] Hands.

    5. We Make Money The Old Fashioned Way...We Sell Outmoded Technology As Fashion Accessories.

    6. I'm Windin' It

    7. Wibbly Wobbly. Timey Windee.

    8. Reach Out And Time Someone.

    9. What Does The Watch Say (song and music video).

    10. Just Wear It.

    11. Wrist Lickin' Good.

    12. Good To The Last Tock.

    13. It's Every(Wear) You Want To Be.

    14. Time A Believer.

    15. Melts In Your Dali Painting, Not In Your Hands.

    If you are open to someone at Swatch, likening Switzerland(?), naming this after a TV character from the 70's and 80s, without any consideration for Apple's we'll worn slogan which surely has reached more people, then why aren't you open to the same possibility with "Tick different"? Why can't they have thought of it independently, under the same logical unawareness of Apple you presented? Furthermore, doesn't it being two slogans used by Apple add to an even smaller likelihood that it's all just a coincidence?



    Seven made me cringe - just like the watches depicted in the article - but OTOH therefore makes a good fit ;-)

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  • Reply 35 of 82
    jfc1138jfc1138 Posts: 3,090member
    The start dressing their people in crumpled raincoats and I'll believe them then.
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  • Reply 36 of 82
    razorpitrazorpit Posts: 1,796member



    In other Swatch related news Swatch has announced a corporate rebranding campaign starting next week.  Swatch will begin operations under its new identity "Mapple".  When asked about the sudden name change Swatch marketing V.P. Steve Mobbs commented that the inspiration was from looking at several watch bands on his desk next to a Macintosh Apple and was surprised to see the similarities in the colors. Said Steve, "The term Mapple just seemed to come to my mind as I sat there looking at everything..."

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  • Reply 37 of 82
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by RadarTheKat View Post

     

    Gosh, now I'm sorry I tipped them off to that reference...

     

    http://forums.appleinsider.com/t/187811/swatch-looks-to-trademark-one-more-thing-phrase-made-famous-by-steve-jobs#post_2764048


    I was just thinking...... "didn't some guy* on AI bring up Columbo a couple of days ago?!", and I came across your post! You sure done messed up, buddy....

     

    Priceless.

     

     

    *Sorry I could not remember who it was.

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  • Reply 38 of 82
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by am8449 View Post



    I think the iThing name has run its course, and am glad Apple has gone with Apple Thing.



    To me, the i no longer sounds fresh and interesting.

     

    Agreed. It's been aped by so many other brands that it's parody now. Didn't Tim accidentally say iWatch at one point during the Apple Watch intro? The iMac is nearly 20 years old, time to move on!

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  • Reply 39 of 82

    What were they thinking for a marketing slogan! Let's see, take an expensive fashion accessory a try to use a marketing line that evokes Columbo, a character that dressed like a slob and was never equated with fashion, smart dresser, or highly presentable....

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  • Reply 40 of 82
    conrailconrail Posts: 489member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mcarling View Post

     

    Swatch's position is complete nonsense.  Trademarks are industry specific.  For example, Apple Computer, Inc. (now renamed Apple, Inc.) and Apple Music, Inc. (the Beatles' company) only had a trademark clash when Apple Computer, Inc. started to do music.  Columbo has nothing to do with the watch industry and is therefore completely irrelevant.  All trademark law disputes are judged primarily on the basis of whether or not consumers would be confused about the origin of a product.


    Apple Corps went after Apple Computer early on, and Apple had pay a settlement and agree to stay out of the music business. 

     

    FWIW, I don't think they should be able to trademark common phrases.  

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