Apple cracks down on iPhone and iPad giveaways, bans use of its font
Apple's cracking down on companies that offer its products as giveaways in competitions and promotions, with one rule stating third parties can't use its signature Myriad Set font.
Apple's cracking down on companies that offer its products as giveaways, providing a detailed list of terms and conditions to abide by if its in-demand gadgets are to be part of a competition or promotion.
For starters, third parties aren't allowed to use the iPhone or iPad in a promotion. The rest of the rules are very strict as well. For example, if you want to give away an iDevice, you're not allowed to use the word 'free' as a modifier in a prominent manner in any promotional material, and you're not allowed to use photos of non-current Apple products.
Oh, and promoters are prohibited from using Apple's signature Myriad Set font.
The rules on photos are especially strict. Examples include: "Do not alter or distort Apple product photos in any way", "Do not omit portions or use a partial photograph of Apple products", and "Always show products on a plain background".
If a third party wants to promote an Apple product in any way, the Cupertino company demands all promotional material be submitted for review.
Giving away an iPhone Gift Card is also verboten, and the iPod touch can only be promoted 'in special circumstances' and when the promoting company has bought a minimum of 250 units.
The rules were first unearthed by Fortune, and make it clear that Apple thinks its brand is its most valuable asset. We can see where Apple's coming from, but aren't these strict rules just a smidgen ridiculous? Let us know what you think in the comments section below, or on our Facebook page. Note that we won't give you a free iPad if you do.