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Fri, Nov 20, 2009 - 07:34 PM EST — AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%) | NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

iPhone fart app devs go to war over ‘pull my finger’ trademark

Monday, February 16, 2009 - 04:31 PM EST

"Tensions have exploded between Air-O-Matic, Inc. and InfoMedia, Inc., two of the hottest names in iPhone flatulence. Air-O-Matic, maker of 'Pull My Finger,' has complained to Apple, threatened to sue its competitor over 'iFart Mobile,' and demanded monetary compensation, so InfoMedia is responding via the courts," David Chartier reports for Ars Technica. "At the center of this combustible situation? A trademark Air-O-Matic was awarded for the phrase 'pull my finger.'"

"Air-O-Matic complained to Apple and InfoMedia that its competitor was using unfair business practices, such as spamming Twitter users, gaming Google, and tooting its own horn with overtly glowing reviews on the iTunes Store. Air-O-Matic eventually demanded $50,000 after estimating its losses from InfoMedia's practices, then threatened to sue over InfoMedia's use of its silent-but-deadly ace in the hole: a trademark it filed for in December 2008 on the phrase 'pull my finger' in relation to 'computer application software for mobile phones,'" Chartier reports.

"InfoMedia used the phrase in promotional video titles and even its initial press release, though 'pull my finger' linked to iFart Mobile. Air-O-Matic complained early on and InfoMedia agreed to change the press release's language 'as a matter of good will.' After tiring of the threats, InfoMedia has filed a lawsuit in federal court," Chartier reports. "Across eight pages that include descriptions of the origin of the 'pull my finger' colloquialism, InfoMedia attempts to preempt an Air-O-Matic lawsuit by arguing that the phrase is common slang and not eligible for trademarking."

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: This really stinks.

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Feb 16, 09 - 04:35 pm Comment from: iLuvMyMacs

Imagine being in the courtroom when this case is heard.

Feb 16, 09 - 04:35 pm Comment from: Wandering joe

Great take! roflmao

Feb 16, 09 - 04:41 pm Comment from: Stuart

Oh my! A farting competition heads to the courts?

Feb 16, 09 - 04:47 pm Comment from: Viktor

Hey, and we can sue both companies since the sound they produce came out of our butt... They have to pay for using the sound I produce....

Feb 16, 09 - 04:49 pm Comment from: Road Warrior

Gee, I wonder what South Park would do if they made up an episode based on these events, seems right down their alley.

Feb 16, 09 - 04:53 pm Comment from: sal

Boy, would I love to sit in that jury..

Feb 16, 09 - 04:57 pm Comment from: The Muffin Man

Fart apps are just vaporware.

Feb 16, 09 - 05:03 pm Comment from: jackspratt

ppppppppttttttththhhhhffffffffttttttthhhhhhthtfhfhfhfhfhfhhhhfffffffft!

Feb 16, 09 - 05:11 pm Comment from: maclover

I appreciate making iphone cross platform, but if it was mac only . . . none of this would ever have happened. (spoken like a true mac elitist). The real joke is us 'savvy' american buying fart apps - i use to wonder why my canadian friends thought we weren't cool - now i know.

Feb 16, 09 - 05:23 pm Comment from: Chip

The defendant remains silent. But deadly.

Feb 16, 09 - 05:33 pm Comment from: Spark

So... which is the best fart app to buy?? That's the burning question.

Feb 16, 09 - 05:33 pm Comment from: silverhawk

The phrase "pull my finger" should never be allowed as a trademark: colloquialism! It's to ingrained in American vocabulary for a mark.

Feb 16, 09 - 05:35 pm Comment from: Ricky Badger

What a gas!

Feb 16, 09 - 05:51 pm Comment from: yummy

So... which is the best fart app to buy?? That's the burning question.

iHabanero. Burns all the way through!

Feb 16, 09 - 05:54 pm Comment from: mm

I have both. I love the 'pull my finger' one more

Feb 16, 09 - 05:58 pm Comment from: oh please

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.

First, do we gotta remind where the term "pull my finger" came from? How do you trademark THAT?

And second, is it really worth fighting over?

What a stink over nothing.

Feb 16, 09 - 06:01 pm Comment from: clunker

Air-O-Matic is just covering their ass.

Feb 16, 09 - 06:03 pm Comment from: BillyBob@home

The only people who really like it when I say, "pull my finger" are small children.

The jury should be made up of eight year olds. They'll decide which company should keep the phrase.

Feb 16, 09 - 06:33 pm Comment from: KenC

It's all about the money

Feb 16, 09 - 06:34 pm Comment from: SirROM

I think both companies should just wipe the slate clean and flush to clear the air.

Feb 16, 09 - 06:38 pm Comment from: Tired of Retards

silverhawk (and all other illiterate morons),

to: expressing motion in the direction of a location

too: to a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible

two: equivalent to the sum of one and one; one less than three; 2

I assume that you meant "too?"

Feb 16, 09 - 07:44 pm Comment from: @tired

Damn grammar Nazis.

Go back to the library. And hope someone didn't drop a good stale hanger by your desk.

Feb 16, 09 - 08:05 pm Comment from: Varth Dader

Pull My Lawyer's Finger.

Feb 16, 09 - 08:29 pm Comment from: silverhawk

@Tired of Retards
I'm human and therefore not perfect. I'm so sorry to have offended you. Now get back to your mothers basement and enjoy your pc. Dolt!

Feb 16, 09 - 08:49 pm Comment from: iWorker

Frankly, I don't give a Fart!

Feb 17, 09 - 12:04 am Comment from: @ Tired of Retards

You big silly.
Spelling and grammar are completely unimportant.

Know matter how its spelt, yule no how two reed and right, sew awl is maid clear.

Halve ewe know sole ?
Eye due knot noe watt ales yew, butt pleas don't wine, get a clew and get off your hi whores.

Deer, I'm going to clothes now, and eat some currents four desert.
Good knight.

(Aye halve thyme too wright this bee cuz Its hard fore mi too fined a job wear eye yam.)

Feb 17, 09 - 02:53 am Comment from: ken1w

@ The Muffin Man

> Fart apps are just vaporware.

Best comment. Thanks.

This would have been appropriate for April Fools Day, because I still don't believe it is true. But I guess it's just TOO stupid to make up.

Feb 17, 09 - 06:22 am Comment from: Bruno

Hilarious, great take too MDN, laughed through it. Great start to the day, so ridiculous... Although, I suppose sadly there is actually quite a lot of money in the fart App business, .
Magic word full, as in this whole thing is full of...
...Yeh.

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Fri, Nov 20, 2009 - 07:34 PM EST — AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%) | NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

iPhone fart app devs go to war over ‘pull my finger’ trademark

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Fri, Nov 20, 2009 - 07:34 PM EST — AAPL: 199.92 (-0.59, -0.29%) | NASDAQ: 2146.04 (-10.78, -0.5%)

iPhone fart app devs go to war over ‘pull my finger’ trademark

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