[deltron3030]

I'm wondering how Apple reacts as the owners of Metaio, who were one of the first companies and brands in the AR space starting in 2003 (aquired by Apple in 2015): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metaio

Having the domain is one thing, having the rights to use the brand name another if it's the same niche (which is certainly the case here). Or do rights to the brand name expire once companies get aquired?

If they still hold the rights they could try to block their future main competitor in the AR space..

[aristus]

Heh. Ask Apple Records about that. Apple Inc, which publicly admits to being named after the record company, violated their agreement not to get into the music business, twice.

[ralfd]

> twice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

First:

> In 1986, Apple Computer added MIDI and audio-recording capabilities to its computers, which included putting the advanced Ensoniq 5503 DOC sound chip from famous synthesizer maker Ensoniq into the Apple IIGS computer. In 1989, this led Apple Corps to sue again, claiming violation of the 1981 settlement agreement.[2] The outcome of this litigation effectively ended all forays at the time by Apple Computer into the multimedia field in parallel with the Amiga, and any future advanced built-in musical hardware in the Macintosh line.

This is ludicrous! Whatever harm the british Apple Corp had through a computer with a sound chip, this doesn't compare to the hinderance of the Mac.

Second:

> In 1991, another settlement involving payment of around $26.5 million to Apple Corps was reached.[4] This time, an Apple Computer employee named Jim Reekes had included a sampled system sound called Chimes to the Macintosh operating system

I don't agree that putting a system sound in System 7 is "going into the music business".

Interestingly, when Apple got into the music business they won:

> On 8 May 2006 the court ruled in favour of Apple Computer,[8] with Justice Edward Mann holding that "no breach of the trademark agreement [had] been demonstrated".[9][10]

Anyway, after that Apple Inc finally was able to buy Apple Corp out for allegedly $500 Million.

Whatever you think about trademark conflict, it did cost Apple Inc heavily.

[jliptzin]

When you have all the money in the world you don't get bothered by petty details like that.