The maker of the controversial super-realistic action figure of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, yielding to legal pressure from Apple, has announced that it will cease production immediately.
According to a posting on the front door of the InIcon site, “[W]e have received immense pressure from the lawyers of Apple and [the]Steve Jobs family.”
But the note, signed only “inicons.com,” claims the firm still believes “we have not overstepped any legal boundaries,” but that the firm “has decided to completely stop the offer, production and sale of the Steve Jobs figurine out of our heartfelt sensitivity to the feelings of the Jobs family.”
“We understand that this decision will cause many of the fans disappointment, but please forgive us as there is no other alternative unless to have [sic] the blessing from [the] Steve Job’ family.”
The full text of the announcement, dated January 15, can be seen at http://www.inicons.com.
InIcon will refund pre-orders.
Trading in figurines apparently already in the market has jumped at eBay, ranging from the offer of the head-only at $31 to the full “collectible action figure” for $2500 from a seller who is still waiting for their shipment, pre-ordered in October and which the seller still hopes will show up. (“[B]ut if for some reason I don’t get it your money will be refunded….”) This seller claims to have pre-ordered the day the figures were first offered and expects to receive shipment in February or March; which raises the question how other sellers have been able to obtain their figurines, with claims to have them “in stock.”
For background on this story and pictures of the icon, see our earlier story, “Steve Jobs: Apple Files to Stop Action Figure Sales, eBay Site Redirects“.
Apple’s cease and desist order against two Chinese manufactures of the Steve Jobs Action Figure comes as no surprise, but the Cupertino company won’t disclose their exact problems with the 12 inch figure. After an unboxing and testing I have 8 reasons why Apple might object to the $139 doll.
1. It should not bend because Steve was rarely if ever flexible.
2. When you pull the string it only says, “Magical.”
3. It doesn’t quite work if you hold him wrong. He needs an extra T-Shirt to work properly.
4. There should at least be a Tim Cook sidekick action figure.
5. You can’t change the battery. Basically you need to buy a new one.
6. The ego is sold separately.
7. There should only be one Steve Jobs Action Figure because after that the mold must be broken.
8. Do not taunt Steve Jobs Action Figure.
[…] Steve Jobs Action Figure: InIcon Halts Production Under Pressure from Jobs Family by David Street […]