April 1, 1976, Apple Computers, Inc. was founded by college two dropouts Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, with a vision of transforming people’s perceptions of computers. Jobs and Wozniak sought to develop computers that could be used in people’s homes or offices. Simply put, they desired a user-friendly computer. Jobs and Wozniak began by hand-building Apple I computers in Jobs’ garage and selling them without a monitor, keyboard, or case. With the debut of the first-ever colour graphics, the Apple II changed the computer industry. In 1980, the year Apple went public, sales increased from $7.8 million to $117 million.
After peaking in 1990, Apple’s market share gradually declined over the next few years, and by 1996, experts felt the business was doomed. Apple did not purchase NeXT Software (Jobs’ firm) until 1997 when it was in severe need of an operating system, and the board of directors chose to enlist the help of an old friend: Steve Jobs. Jobs took on the role of temporary CEO, or iCEO, as he dubbed himself (Jobs was not officially the CEO until 2000). Jobs decided to make certain adjustments at Apple. He formed a partnership with Microsoft to develop a Mac version of the company’s popular office software.
Apple products are presumably recognisable to you, whether you have a Mac, iPhone, or tablet. Apple is one of the world’s most well-known technological corporations, and it distinguishes itself by emphasising a modern and appealing design and a secure foundation. Like many other companies, Apple spent a lot of time and work cultivating its brand and reputation.
Building a brand establishes that a company’s products and services are reliable and effective. Many individuals would not consider using anything other than Apple when it comes to technology. Apple users appreciate the robust and well-built design, but business specialists prefer the company’s secure interface. Apple’s operating system is more secure than other operating systems since it only enables certified programmes to operate on its devices.
The Importance of Logo:
The appropriate logo can make a significant impact on your company’s success. A coffee firm you’ve never heard of must sell low-cost coffee until it establishes a considerable consumer base. It can raise its prices and generate even more money from its sales once it has established a reputation. On the other hand, a branded coffee company can charge significantly more for each cup of coffee it sells. People are willing to spend considerably more for what you have to give if you treat them well and provide a good product.
Types of prominent trademarks that apple owns:
After years of fighting in the news over whether Cisco and Canadian firm Comwave held the iPhone trademark and thus Apple would never win, the USPTO has issued an official statement: Apple Inc. has formally registered iPhone as a trademark as of February 9, 2010. Registration number 3,746,840 covers the Apple image and brand name “iPhone” in International Classes 9, 28, and 38, which are included in this report for clarification. Apple’s next trademark battleground will be the iPad, launched on January 27, 2010, the same day Apple applied for two iPad design trademarks. The argument for Apple’s iPad trademark may be more robust than most people believe.
According to a petition with the US Patent and Trademark Office, Apple has been granted a trademark for the style and layout of its retail locations. According to ifoAppleStore, the company applied for the trademark in 2010, but it was rejected twice before getting approved currently.
- The trademark covers the glass storefront, furniture arrangement, shelving, the Genius Bar, and other features;
- A clear glass storefront is encircled by a panelled facade consisting of two thinner panels stacked on either side of the storefront and huge, rectangular horizontal panels over the top of the glass front;
- Rectangular recessed lighting units run the length of the ceiling throughout the store;
- Cantilevered shelving is located beneath recessed display areas along the sidewalls, and rectangular tables are organised in a line in the middle of the store, parallel to the walls and spanning from the storefront to the rear. An oblong table with stools is positioned in the store’s back, set beneath television displays flush mounted on the back wall, and multi-tiered storage runs down the side walls; and
- The dotted lines on the walls, flooring, lighting and other fixtures are not claimed as distinct characteristics of the mark. Still, the positioning of the various items is regarded to be part of the overall mark.
The trademark also serves as part of Apple’s business strategy of differentiating itself from other retail outlets like Microsoft and Samsung.
Apple isn’t the first computer business to register a trademark for their retail shop design – Microsoft did likewise in 2011. While the store layout resembles Apple’s, there are notable variances in the design and level of information used to explain the layout in Microsoft’s registered trademark certificate:
“A three-dimensional trade outfit was shown the interior of a retail store with four curving tabletops along the back and front sidewalls, as well as a rectangular band displaying changing video pictures on the walls“.
Both of these trademarks demonstrate that architectural arrangements can be owned and marketed as a type of intellectual property, no matter how simple or “obvious” it may be. Apple’s famous retail design is so simple that it encourages intuitiveness, which benefits the company because it is a recognisable extension of Apple’s broader product design philosophy.
The trademark may encourage competitors in the consumer electronics industry to use innovative designs to define their brands. However, if businesses continue to try to replicate Apple’s store design rather than invoking their brand in the minds of customers, we’ll all be thinking, “That’s so Apple“.
Last Thoughts: One of the most practical reasons for the trademark, in my opinion, is to protect the Apple brand from copycats, such as those that have appeared in China in recent years. Not only were those imitators able to profit from bootlegged Apple products, but they were also able to replicate the look and feel of Apple retail locations with imitation storefronts that included glass walls, minimalistic décor, and open floor plans. When it comes to building a brand, having a good product or service is essential. Demonstrate to your customers that they can rely on the items or services you sell, and they will return time and time again. The difficulty is that having a good product or service isn’t always enough to get the task done well or leave a lasting impression.
Disclaimer: The present article intends to provide general guidance on the subject, and you can also consult us in your specific case.
