CNet reports that a Maryland based computer peripheral maker, Man & Machine, has recently filed suit against Apple Inc. and CBS for trademark infringement on the “Mighty Mouse” device. The company claims to have been selling their chemical-resistant and waterproof mouse to hospitals one year prior to Apple’s release of a mouse of the same name.
Broadcasting network, CBS, owns the rights to the Mighty Mouse cartoon and had subsequently licensed use of the name to Apple. Yet Man & Machine claims that the network does not have the right to license out the name as both companies currently have trademark applications that are pending approval from the Trademark Office.
Man & Machine is asking for monetary compensation and for a court injunction to to prohibit Apple from selling any more Mighty Mouse devices.
3 Comments to “Apple sued for Mighty Mouse patent violation”
Change the title. It’s NOT a patent violation. It’s possibly a trademark violation.
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Here’s a quote from the original article…”Both Man & Machine and CBS have trademark applications for the name and are currently dueling for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s approval.” To me, these seems like a patent infringement as well.
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Man & Machine was selling their HOSPITAL mouse under the same name a year before Apple. This is also what they are battling over, it’s not JUST the name .
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