'Ultra-realistic' Steve Jobs action figure pulled from market over 'immense pressure' from Apple lawyers
The company that began advertising for an incredibly lifelike Steve Jobs doll won't sell the figurines after all because of pressure from family and Apple lawyers.
Chinese firm In Icons had planned to offer the one-foot-tall, lifelike figure dressed in Jobs' trademark black mock turtleneck, rimless glasses and jeans.
But the company posted a statement on its website on Sunday saying it had received 'immense pressure' to drop the plan and made the decision out of 'heartfelt sensitivity to the feelings of the Jobs family'.
Legal battle: In Icons' decision to pull the figurine followed a reported threat of litigation from Apple
Lifelike: The 12in figurine retailed at $109.99 and was set for release in FebruaryThe San Jose Mercury News first reported the news.
The iconic Apple co-founder died October 5 of complications from pancreatic cancer.
The company website marketed the Jobs figurine using various Jobs quotes - including several relating to mortality such as 'Remembering I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered'.
The 'collectible figure' was modelled on a 1:6 scale and came with two Apple logos - a risky move that undoubtedly made In Icons model even more vulnerable to legal action.
The company had intended to start shipping the doll, which sold for $109.99, in February.
But their decision to pull the figurine followed a reported threat of litigation from Apple.
The report, in The Telegraph, did not list a source, but is reasonably credible as Apple has a long history of legal action against model-makers for alleged copyright infringement.
In the past, the company has been quick to take legal action against Steve Jobs models such as one featuring the Apple guru as a ninja - poking fun at Steve Jobs alleged attempt to take souvenir ninja 'shuriken' throwing stars on a plane.
Apple's lawyers said, 'Mr Jobs has not consented to the use of his name and/or image in the Product.'
In Icon boss Tandy Cheung had previously firmly refused to stop trading, saying, according to the newspaper: 'Apple can do anything they like. I will not stop.'
Cheung said then he had not taken any legal advice and that Jobs was not subject to the rules around likenesses of screen stars, 'Steve Jobs is not an actor, he’s just a celebrity… There is no copyright protection for a normal person. Steve Jobs is not a product… so I don’t think Apple has the copyright of him.'
In Icons has not released sales figures.
The company says any money received for pre-orders will be returned.
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