Apple product design

[Marko Subotin]

Ok, as far as I can see on the website, photographing Apple products is prohibited.

''Apple logos, icons and product designs are protected. Not acceptable for commercial licensing.''

In the past, I even deleted some photos because I hadn’t noticed during the shoot that the model was wearing an Apple Watch. My photos of mobile phones were rejected even though they weren’t iPhones, simply because they “resembled” an iPhone. Now I have a lot of photos to sort out, and the same thing happened again—the model is wearing a watch that looks like an Apple Watch. Of course, I can remove the Apple Watch in Photoshop, but I have a lot of photos, and I’m asking this question because I’ve found a large number of images online already where watch that resembles an Apple Watch is clearly visible. Also images of a MacBook clearly visible.

I don’t want to post links, since I don’t want to cause problems for fellow photographers, but I really don’t understand—are we allowed to photograph Apple products or not?
Thanks.

[RALPH_L · Accepted solution]

Removing a logo from an object may not be sufficient. The rule is, if the object is identifiable it cannot be used without the permission of the owner.

Here further helpful information:

The main factor that makes a product identifiable after removing its logo is its Trade Dress (or Product Configuration).

Trade dress is a type of intellectual property protection, similar to a trademark, that protects the overall visual appearance and "look and feel" of a product or its packaging. This visual identity is what consumers have come to associate with a single source, even without seeing the brand name or logo.

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Key Elements of Trade Dress

Trade dress is built from a combination of non-functional design elements:

Element	Description
Shape/Configuration	The unique three-dimensional form or outline of the product.
Color/Color Combinations	A distinct, non-utilitarian color or pairing of colors.
Texture/Material	The specific finishes, materials used, or how the product feels.
Layout/Arrangement	The unique positioning of components (e.g., buttons, screens, ports).

These elements must be distinctive (unique and not ordinary) and non-functional (meaning the design doesn't primarily serve a practical or performance purpose) to receive legal protection.⁵

Example 1: Apple Products (Product Design Trade Dress)

Apple's products are highly protected by their minimalist, consistent design language.⁶ Removing the Apple logo does little to hide the product's origin due to these distinct features:

Product	Identifiable Trade Dress Elements (Even without a logo)
Apple Watch	Shape: The distinctive rectangular-with-rounded-corners case design. Controls: The unique placement and configuration of the Digital Crown and side button. Material: The flush, premium glass screen seamlessly integrated into the case.
MacBook	Shape: The ultra-slim, tapered aluminum body (clamshell design). Hinge: The specific, smooth, recessed hinge mechanism. Keyboard Layout: The all-black keyboard set into a uniform aluminum deck.
iPhone	Configuration: The precise arrangement of the camera lenses in the corner, the speaker grills, and the power/volume buttons. Finish: The seamless glass back and flat, polished metal edges.

These combined elements have acquired secondary meaning—consumers instantly associate that specific look with the Apple brand.

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Example 2: Coca-Cola (Product Packaging Trade Dress)

Coca-Cola's most famous piece of trade dress is not the logo, but its packaging:

Element	Description
Contour Glass Bottle	The unique, curvaceous, fluted shape of the classic glass bottle is so distinctive that it was granted trade dress protection in 1915 to be recognizable even if broken. This shape alone instantly signifies "Coke" to consumers.
Color Scheme	The classic pairing of the vibrant Coca-Cola Red (for the label or packaging) and white script, even without the actual words, is an iconic and protected visual identity.
Dynamic Ribbon Device	The specific white wave or ribbon graphic used in many of its advertisements and on the cans/bottles has also become a secondary identifier.

In the case of Coca-Cola, even if the word "Coca-Cola" is completely removed from the bottle, the unique, non-functional shape is a sufficient source identifier.

[Marko Subotin]

Thanks Ralph for this indepth answer, but why are there so many images of MacBooks online?
My guess is that reviwers are not  familiar with this info, or they can make mistakes since there are a lot f laptops that are so similar to MacBook, or maybe I mistakenly thought a MacBook or iPhone had been photographed, although it wasn’t.

[Jill_C]

Indeed, there are many inconsistencies among moderators when it comes to detecting IP. Just last week, I had 2 images from the same location and subject, though not really similar; one was accepted, one was rejected for IP. Obviously, they landed in the queue of different moderators. Just do your best - remove obvious logos and don't upload anything with a very distinctive design. In the case of Apple watches, if the design isn't really apparent, it should pass. If it's very obviously an Apple watch, you can also edit to remove it. My rule of thumb is that if it takes more than 5 minutes to edit an image to remove all logos and signs, I don't bother working on it for stock.

[Nancy OShea]

It's not just APPLE.  This applies to ALL products -- large & small -- protected by trademarks, brand names & design patents.  When in doubt, don't submit it for commercial use.