Apple 'threatens legal action' over Steve Jobs action doll

The makers of an action figure with an uncanny resemblance to the late Apple founder Steve Jobs are reportedly being 'threatened with legal action' by the computing giant.

Apple threatens legal action over Steve Jobs action doll
The action figure of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs Credit: Photo: www.inicons.com

The 12-inch figurine, which comes complete with Jobs's trademark blue jeans, sneakers and black turtleneck sweater, was created by Chinese company In Icons and was set for release in February. But 'their efforts have reportedly met with' a legal challenge with Apple allegedly threatening to sue the toy maker unless they cease trading.

The legal wrangle is over the likeness of the doll to the late Apple founder, the rights of which the company claims it owns.

Apple reportedly stipulates in a letter to the Chinese manufacturer that any toy that resembles the technology company's logo, person's name, appearance or likeness of its products is a criminal offence.

Online-auctioning site eBay is already selling the plastic doll at $135 each. The normal retail price would have been $99.

The action figure comes with a pair of black socks, some glasses, a leather belt, two apples (one with a bite taken out of it), a bar stool and a "One More Thing" backdrop.

The doll also has a spare pair of hands, which can be replaced to make the figure point in a typical Steve Jobs gesture.

Apple successfully blocked the sale of a previous Steve Jobs action figure by company MiC Gadget in 2010.