Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/11/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 11:11 PM 11/7/97 -0600, Eric Welch wrote: >...just because LHSA (I don't get it,since I'm not a >member, but is it a Leica ad?) puts it on their back cover doesn't mean >it's true. How could they possibly trademark APO when Zeiss invented it? The list on the Leica Catalog covers all trademarks which Leitz or Leica has advised LHSA are its protected property. In other words, Leica has told LHSA: These babies are ours! 'APO' is shorthand for 'apochromatic': the basic concept was NOT invented by Zeiss. Without my OED at hand, I cannot be certain, but I believe that Sir Isaac Newton invented the term, and, from Dollond onwards, the idea of using three lenses to improve chromatic performance has been much discussed. I do not know who has the trademark on 'APO' but I won't argue with either Leica or Zeiss if they tell me it's theirs: they can hire more expensive lawyers than can I! Marc msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!