Apple Computer is outraged over new advertisements by upstart music channel Fuse that resemble ads for the iPod, Apple’s popular digital music player, The Post has learned.
Apple lawyers have been calling Fuse and threatening to sue unless the ads – which went up in outdoor locations in New York City on Monday – are taken down.
Not only do the ads resemble Apple’s iPod ads, but they also are quite risque: one depicts a man masturbating, while another shows a woman pole dancing.
Apparently, Apple has received numerous calls from iPod users who have expressed outrage over the advertisements, a source said.
Spokesmen for Apple and Fuse were unavailable for comment.
Fuse, owned by Cablevision’s Rainbow Media, differentiates itself from its much larger rival, MTV, by airing more music videos.
The network has made a name for itself with its quirky, clever ads on New York buses and in subway stations. For example, its May 2003 campaign, called “Save the Music Video,” featured Sally Struthers.
Its current campaign was created by Fuse’s advertising agency, Amalgamated.
In a statement last week to announce the campaign, Marc Juris, the president of Fuse, said, “In an incredibly simple way, our new campaign hits on Fuse’s defining mission as the only true music network dedicated to bringing back the rebellious and fun spirit of music’s youth culture.”