Authors beware.
I got ticketed for using the word "iBook" in the title of my book, both artwork/cover design and internal body copy. It's apparently a serious no-no. Seems strange since the only place an iBook can be sold is through Apple's iBookstore! It took me days to knitpick the Apple-trademarked word from the contents of the book. I had to change all the terms to "interactive book." Gag.
Be careful
dmingo
iMac 27" i7-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.3)
Hard to learn the hard way, sure...but it should not surprise that Apple looks to protect it's IP 🙂 and make no mistake, Apple wants to own it...
Speak up if interested in Apple logo and name marketing outlines, etc.
"iBook" seems to be a term that people (rather than Apple) made up. There is "iBooks" (the application), and there is the "iBookstore". But "iBooks" as such don't seem to exist, at least not in Apple's universe.
Given the terminology of "iBooks" and "iBookstore", it's not a surprise that people started calling the books sold there "iBooks", IMO.
Michi.
Since my books are all about color and digital photogrqphy, I now refer to the series as "EyeBooks" on my web site. Wonder what reaction (if any) that will rustle up.
The point is to stear clear - not tempt another rejection. I settled on 'guide' 😉
dmingo wrote:
Since my books are all about color and digital photogrqphy, I now refer to the series as "EyeBooks" on my web site. Wonder what reaction (if any) that will rustle up.
I strongly suspect that, by doing this, you have outed yourself.
From Apple's Guidelines for Using Apple Trademarks and Copyrights:
3. Variations, Takeoffs or Abbreviations: You may not use an image of a real apple or other variation of the Apple logo for any purpose. Third parties cannot use a variation, phonetic equivalent, foreign language equivalent, takeoff, or abbreviation of an Apple trademark for any purpose. For example:
Not acceptable: Appletree Jackintosh Apple Cart PodMart
I think it is almost certain that "Eyebooks" will raise the ire of Apple. Now if you had made it "Eyebook" instead, you might have a better chance, given that "iBook" doesn't officially exist. But, even then, I think you'd be on shaky ground, seeing that a one-letter difference to an existing trademark, plus a takeoff of that, would still be seen as infringing on Apple's rights (correctly so, IMO).
Michi.
Good advice. Cute idea, poor judgment on my part. Not worth the risk.
dmingo
It is just a mess and nobody knows what term to use and what the terms actually mean.
Apple dropped the ball completely by coming up with a new standard for eBooks and not having a proper name for it. From a marketing point of view, this makes no sense at all.
Sorry, but if I create an eBook with the application named "iBooks Author" and it can export that book to a file with the extension .ibooks to be viewed in a application called iBooks, then I call that book an "iBook" (maybe not in my xxxxxx-Book that I submit to Apple)
It is almost like that family member that did something really bad and nobody is allowed to say his or her name.
Just be brave and say it: "Hi, my name is Edgar and i just created an iBook, iBook, iBook, iBook, iBook, iBook, ..."
Edgar wrote:
Sorry, but if I create an eBook with the application named "iBooks Author" and it can export that book to a file with the extension .ibooks to be viewed in a application called iBooks, then I call that book an "iBook" (maybe not in my xxxxxx-Book that I submit to Apple)
It is almost like that family member that did something really bad and nobody is allowed to say his or her name.
Just be brave and say it: "Hi, my name is Edgar and i just created an iBook, iBook, iBook, iBook, iBook, iBook, ..."
It would be funny, if it weren't so sad…
Michi.
I used the phrase Kafka-esqu on a post earlier tonight, but it was no where near Kafka-esque as this.
I am totally behind protecting your intellectual property (how I make my living), but this seems a bit silly.
Me and my production partner are having a hard time describing the books to people who are not aware of the potential, and if the term iBook is off the table, what do we have left? Multi-media book, something really cool but you have to see it to understand, an ebook but one that does not suck.
How we frame the book is important, I can not market the work we are producing if there is no phrase to describe it that is easily understood by your target audiance.
What are you calling them?
Everyone understnads the i prefix means Apple something, they get it, it sells more ipads, helps me sell my books, what is the problem?
Do you think iTextbook might be acceptable?
There seems to be some release of information from Apple that are not widely available e.g. The guidance that the author should one write the book and then add the photos and video later.
Perhaps these important communications should be flagged up in the unused TIPS section on this forum?
Ken
"iBook" term usage
