Steve Jobs action figure dropped after Apple pressure

The maker of a controversial action figure of Steve Jobs is halting production and sales of the product following "immense pressure" from Apple.

Earlier in the month, Chinese company In Icons caused a stir after announcing a 12-inch scale model of the late Apple co-founder wearing his trademark black turtleneck, jeans and glasses.



The firm had intended to start sales of the $99 (£64) figure in February, but it has now halted the plans out of "heartfelt sensitivity" to the family of Jobs.

"Though we still believe that we have not overstepped any legal boundaries, we have 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," said Tandy Cheung, head of the Hong Kong-based In Icons, in a statement reported by CNET.

"Regardless of the pressure, I am still Steve's fan, I fully respect Steve, and his family, and it is definitely not my wish or intention that they be upset."

Cheung's company initially claimed that the figure was dedicated "to the Genius, Great Inventor and Visionary: Steve Jobs", but Apple was widely expected to consult its lawyers over what it had indicated was an unlicensed product.



In Icons said that the pose-able figure would come with an Apple to hold, a chair and a backdrop sporting his familiar "one more thing" catchphrase often said at Apple product launches.

However, Apple is thought to have sent the firm a cease-and-desist notice, accusing it of creating a product that "resembles the technology company's logo, person's name, appearance, or likeness of its products".

Cheung initially told ABC News that "Apple can do anything they like. I will not stop, we already started production". However, that stance has now softened, and the figure will not be sold.

This marks the second time that Apple has blocked a Steve Jobs action figure, after China's MIC Gadget was forced to stop selling a different product after a legal challenge from the US technology giant. MIC later released another figure of Jobs dressed as a ninja, which unsurprisingly did not meet Apple's approval either.

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