Today I got a notice from a Lawyer representing Apple telling me 3 things:

1. I should change my domain www.iphonecostarica.com
2. I should change the site's design
3. I should stop unlocking iPhones

The worst thing is that the fucking lawyer came 2 weeks ago asking to unlock his iPhone, which I did

Well as expected the lawyer told me that I shouldn't worry about the last point since Apple can't stop it.

About the design I really don't care about it, not a big deal. But if I add something like the footer on iPhoneSimFree.com can I avoid this ???

No responsibility taken for any misuse of the information above.
iphonesimfree.com is is not affiliated with or representing Apple. iPhone and Apple name and any other product names, service names or logos of iPhone used,
quoted and/or referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc.

The thing I'm mad about is the freaking domain. I mean come on!!! How many sites use the word iphone on their domain: iphonesimfree.com iphonedevwiki.com iphonehacks.com.... just to name a few!!!

Can they really ask me to change the domain or are they just trying to scare me.

they are trying to scare you...look at what microsoft did to mike roe (sp.?)- he had a site called www.mikeroesoft.com and microsoft came after him. it made the news cuz mike r. was david and microsoft was goliath...everyone votes for the underdog.

Originally Posted by Dezur

Today I got a notice from a Lawyer representing Apple telling me 3 things:

1. I should change my domain www.iphonecostarica.com
2. I should change the site's design
3. I should stop unlocking iPhones

If he had a signed paper with Apple logo and a valid Apple representative signature, meaning he (supposedly) is really acting on Apple's behalf, then you can be worried. If not, he is just scarying you.

Either way, do the opposite: Contact YOUR lawyer and check if he's what he is telling you. If not, you can process him by impersonating

And you got a copy of what 'Apple' is requesting from you, right?

Damn it, I sold an iPhone to a lawyer, allthough she assured me she wanted the iPhone for the design and that I was not under any investigation

To be fair, you are really on the verge of copyright infringement.

Making a site which follows a similar corp-identity to Apple, e.g. top nav, use of iPhone images without consent?

It looks very Apple styled which is why they will do you from copyright in as much as impersonation or misrepresentation of a companies product(s) and brand.

I dont agree with corps. dictating like this especially if the resource is for the benefit of the users and ultimately generating Apple et al more sales!

To be safe just ditch the "apple" feel design then they cannot touch you. Also the "iPhone" thing.. just shout back at them regards to Linksys they need to back-the-f**k up : )

Originally Posted by hquest

If he had a signed paper with Apple logo and a valid Apple representative signature, meaning he (supposedly) is really acting on Apple's behalf, then you can be worried. If not, he is just scarying you.

Either way, do the opposite: Contact YOUR lawyer and check if he's what he is telling you. If not, you can process him by impersonating

And you got a copy of what 'Apple' is requesting from you, right?

Well it doesn't have the Apple logo it has the Lawyers Firm logo, and the signature is the Lawyer's signature.

Yes I have a copy I can post it but since it's in Spanish.

Originally Posted by iphonedev

To be fair, you are really on the verge of copyright infringement.

Making a site which follows a similar corp-identity to Apple, e.g. top nav, use of iPhone images without consent?

It looks very Apple styled which is why they will do you from copyright in as much as impersonation or misrepresentation of a companies product(s) and brand.

I dont agree with corps. dictating like this especially if the resource is for the benefit of the users and ultimately generating Apple et al more sales!

To be safe just ditch the "apple" feel design then they cannot touch you. Also the "iPhone" thing.. just shout back at them regards to Linksys they need to back-the-f**k up : )

Yes as I said I really don't care about the design, I will change it probably next week. But I do care about the domain

no need to post, just get one lawyer and ask him to check if this is true or not.

but keep moving, do a small change on your site to make it not too similar as appel one.

Yeah, just change the current design to avoid any copyright infringement. Apart from that I can't see that you are doing anything wrong. Unlocking is not illegal and surely if you bought that domain then it is your property. As long as you make it so that your site is clearly NOT offically linked with Apple (a disclaimer would be a good idea) then you have nothing to fear.

You are infringing their trademark by including "iphone" in the domain name while provide information about their relevant product.
The best thing to do will be regging a new domain and forward iphonecostarica.com to that domain.
On the other hand, if you like to gamble, they may not file a complaint to WIPO. My advise is to do nothing and wait for their second letter. If they contact you again, that means they've got more serious. At that point, forward the domain before they ask WIPO to do it.
Note that WIPO complaint filing costs about $2500 + attorney fees.