Last week Apple was accused of lifting the creative for its iPod ad featuring Eminem from a 2002 ad for Lugz sneakers.
Although the ads look remarkably alike (see for yourself here) Apple and its ad agency TBWA are denying any intellectual property theft.
The latest news is that Lugz has taken what appears to be its first step toward legal retaliation with the filing of a cease-and-desist letter to the computer maker and its agency.
Says Larry Schwartz, executive VP and principal of Lugz:
“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.”
Also disturbing – the Lugz Birdman. Since when did urban athletic shoes start looking so senior citizen?
