08The consumer electronic giant argues that the name of internet domain of Polish company ap.pl is strikingly similar to Apple’s trademark
Apple lays claim to ap.pl – a domain owned by a Polish entrepreneur, Artur Janiszewski. The tech company says that the name creates confusion among their customers, as it is phonetically almost identical with their own brand name.
The ap.pl domain was registered in 2002. From 2013 the owner uses it to run an online shop offering maintenance services and accessories for various mobile phone brands.
Recently, Mr. Janiszewski has received a 600-page lawsuit that requested him to give the domain away to Apple free of charge. He refused to do so, saying that “ap.pl” is the acronym for Art Production – a company he established over 13 years ago and he had no intention of causing any speculations.
“I have never thought of ap.pl as Apple domain. Art Production is a company specializing in promotional gifts. At the beginning we were selling cases for all Smartphones and tablets with manufacturer logo printed on them. Later, we expanded to offer Apple accessories as well, only because they are expensive… that’s all,” says Artur Januszewski.
Mr. Janiszewski also admits that it is not the first time he is disturbed by Apple lawyers, as the company previously offered buying the domain for $6000, but he did not accept the offer saying it was “ridiculously low.”
Asked for his future plans, Januszewski says that , he is not planning to sell the domain, it is actually the other way round, he is looking for an investor to help him exploit the full potential of ap.pl – unless Apple comes up with a really good price.
Currently, the case is a subject of the Arbitration Court at the Polish Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunication Proceedings.
Emma is a telecom engineer, fond of fantasy books and RPGs
