ITV sends warning letter to Apple over television name

SELLER OF SHINY TOYS Apple has received a stiff letter from British broadcaster ITV warning it not to use the trademark Itv for its upcoming smart televisions.

Apple is widely expected to introduce a smart television sometime this year and with its predictable naming convention, British broadcaster ITV has warned Apple off calling its upcoming telly the Itv. Adam Crozier, managing director of ITV, had previously talked with then Apple CEO Steve Jobs about the matter and was reportedly reassured that Apple would not be making a television set.

Now Jobs is gone and virtually no one would be surprised if Apple tipped up with a television set, Crozier felt it was time to send another warning shot across Apple's bow. Whether Apple will listen to the broadcaster is another matter, of course.

It is far more likely that ITV is angling for a deal in which it would get some cash. After all it would be expected that any Apple television would sell well. Apple is unlikely to get into a bitter dispute with ITV given that it might need to do a deal with the broadcaster for content.

Of course if ITV poses too much of a legal hurdle, Apple could simply buy the broadcaster and perhaps commission a series of Fanboi Idol. µ