TigerDirect Sues Apple Over New OS
UPDATED Online computer and peripheral retailer TigerDirect has filed suit against Apple claiming Mac OS X 10.4, known as "Tiger," infringes on its trademarked name. According to court filings, TigerDirect is seeking an injunction to stop Apple from using the word "tiger" online or in printed materials immediately.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Florida, also claims that Apple engaged in deceptive and unfair trade practices. TigerDirect says Apple's use of Tiger "is causing confusion, mistake and deception among the general purchasing public."
The retailer owns trademarks on Tiger, TigerDirect and TigerSoftware, which appear in 25 million catalogs each year.
TigerDirect's main contention is that Apple has flooded the Internet with the word "tiger" as it relates to computers, which has knocked the retailer from the top of search results on Google, Yahoo and MSN.
"Apple Computer has created and launched a nationwide media blitz led by Steven Jobs, overwhelming the computer world with a sea of Tiger references," the lawsuit says.
TigerDirect is asking the court to permanently prevent Apple from using the Tiger name, as well as seeking damages in excess of $75,000. Apple's new Mac OS X release is scheduled to go on sale worldwide starting Friday at 6pm.
According to reports, a hearing for TigerDirect's requested preliminary injunction is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3.