When Carl Sagan Sued Apple Twice (2014)
7 hours ago
- #Carl Sagan
- #Apple
- #Legal Dispute
- Apple internally codenamed the Power Mac 7100 'Carl Sagan,' referencing his catchphrase 'billions and billions'.
- Carl Sagan objected to the unauthorized use of his name, fearing it implied endorsement and sued Apple for libel after they changed the codename to 'BHA' (Butt-Head Astronomer).
- Apple argued 'Butt-Head Astronomer' was an opinion, not a factual statement, leading to the case's dismissal.
- Sagan sued again for the initial use of his name, but Apple won again, prompting a confidential settlement.
- Apple's engineers retaliated by renaming the Power Mac 7100 'LAW' (Lawyers are Wimps).
- The Power Mac 7100, despite its controversial codenames, did not generate billions for Apple as hoped.