Apple gets cease-and-desist letter over Eminem iTunes ad
Posted by Lab Rat
According to Adweek, Lugz Footware has sent Apple a cease-and-desist letter due to similarities between’s Apple’s much-hyped Eminem iTunes ad, and Lugz’s “Arrow� ad, (aired in 2002). From ADWEEK: “Both television ads feature urban images on a red, yellow and orange background, with black silhouettes and a hip-hop soundtrack�. Also named in the letter is Apple’s ad agency, TBWA\Chiat\Day, which produced the ad.
Larry Schwartz, a spokesman for Lugz Footware, said in a statement, “If you look at these spots, common sense would tell you that there’s a problem here. The Apple commercial uses the most powerful elements of our campaign, making the ads disturbingly similar. We are prepared to vigorously pursue all legal remedies in order to protect our rights.”â€?
The ad was first debuted at one of Apple’s many special events last month. It was subsequently pulled from the apple iTunes website, then reposted. There were rumors it was no longer airing on TV, then reports that it was still airing. Currently, the ad is still available on the Apple website.
We always like giving Apple the benefit of the doubt, yet we’ve seen both ads and find ourselves leaning towards siding with Lugz on this one. So we think we’ll place the blame for this solely on the shoulders of TBWA\Chiat\Day. There is no way such a high profile Ad agency did not see the Lugz ad. As we recall, it pretty much ran during every basketball game of the 2002/2003 seasons. We can understand the nerdy Apple execs not watching sports, but ad agencies should do their homework.