[MacsHeadroom]

Apples predate civilization, yet Apple does have the exclusive privilege of using the word Apple in relation to computers and almost anything that touches a computer. So that's not a great argument.

Google does not have a trademark on Droid, however. It doesn't actually matter though, because civil litigation is a war of attrition. They don't have to be right. They just have to have deeper pockets.

If you think this is bad or a recent thing, look up Microsoft v. Mike Rowe.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

Apple had to make a deal with Apple Records (the Beatles’ company): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

[acomjean]

This is actually quite interesting and relevant. Initially Apple could keep the name (after settling) because Computers aren’t involved in music (the Apple // could click the speaker and it took some assembly to make it click and make tones, no sound chip)

Fast forward to iTunes and they’re in the same market.

[skocznymroczny]

In Poland we have some cases going on with Apple. Polish webdomain is .pl, so there are several services such as a.pl and ap.pl which Apple doesn't like.

[salamanderman]

In fact, Lucasfilm has a trademark on Droid and Google/Motorola license it.

[p49k]

Trademark law takes into consideration the similarity of names and Google certainly has a trademark on “Android.” Although you’re correct that Google can use their might to force any outcome, it’s not accurate to imply that Google has no legitimate claim here.