Mac and macbook in adwords. Getting permission

[pcpete]

I have heard members say they have gotten written permission to use Apple trademarks like Mac and Macbook is Google adwords. Any insight to this process would be greatly appreciated. Since they hate third party repair companies I find it interesting that they would allow it. Do they say no to people if you advertise mac hardware repair on your website? We are really focusing on specialized macbook repair and would love to advertise it

 

[phaZed]

So long as you do not claim you are an "Authorized Apple Service Provider" or otherwise sanctioned by Apple, I don't see how they could interfere or request such a thing. If you are using their logo for advertisement or part of an advertisement, that may be different. Their products are in the public sphere and as such, must be able to be communicated that you do something to named "thing".

 

[cyabro]

Interesting thing though, at least here in New Zealand, as an aasp we have very strict guidelines on what we can use for advertising, store front signage etc.
Website images, even what you can and can’t have in your email signature.

Yet third parties can do what they like.
Have big Apple logos on their website and store front and one local repairer even says on their website that they’re Apple authorised when they are not.
Another one says that they are Apple certified when they’re not.

We’ve complained to Apple but nothing has ever happened about it.

 

[kwest]

Early on I got flagged and google told me I need written permission from an Apple attorney and they gave me his contact info. I gave him what we offer and he approved it with a letter. I submitted that to google and I can now use the trademark names. This is in the US

 

[Markverhyden]

A lot depends on who the owner of the copyright is. Apple has always been pr!cks, even when they were gasping for air back in early 2000's. Other's don't worry as much. Generally speaking as long as you don't give a visitor a reason to believe you are an official partner, as in ASP, and you attribute the copyrighted material to the copyright owners you should be in the clear. But as @kwest pointed out, as well as the recent posts about Adwords, we're at the mercy of nameless, faceless bots.

One important thing is to always make sure the word compatible is used in conjunction with the OEM name and product name. That's where many get hammered.

 

[pcpete]

we go as far as saying it is preferred to use third party repair companies over apple in some cases because we can just repair what needs to be done instead of replacing whole units, for example, like the top case when just the keyboard is bad

 

[Markverhyden]

we go as far as saying it is preferred to use third party repair companies over apple in some cases because we can just repair what needs to be done instead of replacing whole units, for example, like the top case when just the keyboard is bad

Exactly. Having worked at CompUSA, which was an OEM ASP for major computer manufacturers, I learned that they have their requirements for repairs. Back in the day Sony was one of the worst. If I wanted to replace the processor, rare event, we had to run a series of tests, call L2 support at Sony, and report. If they said no, it was no new processor. Others, like HP, could have cared less as long as the particular shop didn't order too much.

So if a customer came in with a machine out of warranty we'd tell them to not call the OEM. A good example is Apple. Several years ago a customer of mine, which had one of those black Macbook's, called up complaining of problems. Obvious HD problem. She's very price sensitive so I suggested she take it to the Apple store literally two blocks from her gallery since they offer flat rate repairs for OOW. She called back and said they could not repair it. I'm like WTF, it's just a SATA drive. Called a friend of mine whose a tech at another Apple store and he said that was standard. Their corporate policy is they can only order parts that Apple carries in inventory for that particular model. So, since they no longer stocked the 80 GB drive for that machine, it was tough luck.

 

[maclaptech]

I have heard members say they have gotten written permission to use Apple trademarks like Mac and Macbook is Google adwords. Any insight to this process would be greatly appreciated. Since they hate third party repair companies I find it interesting that they would allow it. Do they say no to people if you advertise mac hardware repair on your website? We are really focusing on specialized macbook repair and would love to advertise it

 

[maclaptech]

I just got off the phone with Google. It looks like Apple has finally won. You can no longer advertise for any Apple related services or selling parts related to Apple on Google unless you have Apples written permission.

 

[JustinNickerson]

I gave him what we offer and he approved it with a letter. I submitted that to google and I can now use the trademark names.