Microware Systems Corp. v. Apple Computer, Inc.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Microware Systems Corp. v. Apple Computer, Inc., 238 F.3d 989 (8th Cir. 2001)
2001 WL 32755

Microware Systems Corp. v. Apple Computer, Inc.

Opinion of the Court

PER CURIAM.

The plaintiff, Microware Systems Corporation, owns a registered trademark, “OS-9,” on its software products, which are real-time operating systems. The defendant, Apple Computer, Inc., calls the current generation of its personal computer “MAC OS 9.” Microware brought this suit for trademark infringement. The District Court1 denied Microware’s motion for a preliminary injunction and granted Apple’s motion for summary judgment, holding as a matter of law that Apple had established the defense of fair use.

We affirm. The evidence of confusion was minimal. Microware and Apple sold, for the most part, to entirely different markets. Microware does not claim it lost any sales. “MAC OS 9” accurately describes, in a fashion customary in the industry, the current version of Apple’s product. For the rest, we refer the reader to the able district judge’s full opinion, with which we agree in substance.

Affirmed.

. The Hon. Robert W. Pratt, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa.

Reference

Full Case Name
MICROWARE SYSTEMS CORPORATION, an Iowa corporation, Plaintiff—Appellant v. APPLE COMPUTER, INC., a California corporation
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published