You’d probably recognize that you’d walked into an Apple Store even if both logo and products were covered: the signature wooden tables, glass frontage and glass staircase would give it away. Apple successfully trademarked its store designs in the U.S. last year, and a European Union court has today approved a similar trademark application in Europe …
Ifo Apple Store reports that the Court of Justice of the European Union over-ruled a refusal by the German patent court to approve the trademark.
In its ruling, the Court of Justice said the trademark hinged on three issues: the trademark must constitute a sign, be capable of graphic representation, and be capable of distinguishing the ‘goods’ or ‘services’ of one undertaking from those of other undertakings. The […] court ruled the design met all three criteria of EU trademark law, and approved granting trademark status.
It wasn’t certain that the trademark would be approved, in part, it is said, due to the crude nature of the drawing Apple submitted:
The stores are in the process of getting a slightly different look as Apple revamps the backlit visuals with ones inspired by its recent ad campaigns, along with a new organizational structure as Angela Ahrendts prepares for further international expansion.
Ifo Apple Store also reports that Apple is likely to open its 38th UK store next month, in Edinburgh, Scotland – which we first mentioned back in March. The store is in the heart of the Scottish capital, on Princes Street.
The store is rumored to be set to open on 2nd August. Apple already has three existing stores in Scotland, two in Glasgow, one in Aberdeen.
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38 stores in the UK (including one in Northern Ireland), 0 in the Republic of Ireland. What gives, Apple? Your European HQ is in Cork. I live in Dublin, the city with the largest population on the island, and had to travel 100 miles last week, to a different jurisdiction with a different currency, because my 5C had a clicky screen and needed replacing. To do it in the Republic would require me to send the phone to Apple and have it returned, which can take weeks. There’s plenty of Irish people who’d love the jobs. I’ve worked in our next best thing myself, but they can’t even deal with iPhones, leaving it to the major networks, who don’t know their arses from their elbows. 3 or 4 stores in the Republic could see business seriously improve. Come on, Apple!
Dublin does indeed seem like an odd omission. (Beautiful city, by the way.)
Agree completely. I’ve been using Apple products 20+ years and the after sales service is appalling in all Irish third party retailers. Apple charges Irish customers more than UK, French and German customers and delivers a sub par sales and after sales service here. 38 stores in the UK and none in Ireland?
Pretty fed up at this stage.
The price difference is due to the higher rate of VAT, I think?
Good point, probably the reason.
Same here, I had a clicky screen on my iPhone 5 a few months back, had to call up and arrange a service collection though as I had no way to travel to Belfast. In fairness though I had a brand new iPhone 5 in 7 days so was just a small inconvienence for me.
Dublin is really lacking a store, it would make life so much easier, also I’d finally be able to experience what an Apple store is like, I’m not a fan of the resellers over here.
Zagreb doesnt have apple store. Third party are not really that good.
Zagreb, Croatia.
I’d like to see the approved US patent to see the level of detail.
Did it include lousy service?
Just in time to file the plans in the archive of tired design. Steve Jobs made this in 2003. He didn’t intend it to go unchanged for a millennia.