Steve Jobs doll canceled after Apple and family object, site says
An eerily lifelike Steve Jobs doll will not be sold because of “immense pressure” from Apple Inc.’s lawyers and requests from the late chief executive’s family, according to In Icons, the company that had advertised the action figure.
“We understand that this decision will cause many of the fans’ disappointment, but please forgive us as there is no other alternative unless to have the blessing from Steve Jobs family,” the company said in a statement on its website.
The company said it would aim to provide full refunds to customers who had ordered the doll.
In Icons had been taking pre-orders for the 12-inch doll, which cost $100 and included “one realistic head sculpt and two pairs of glasses,” “one highly articulate body and three pairs of hands,” a black turtleneck, a pair of jeans and two apples — one with a bite taken out of it. The company said it had planned to start shipping the dolls in February.
When the doll was first advertised, many Apple fans were disturbed by the level of detail, such as the pores on its forehead, the wrinkles under its eyes and the veins on its hands.
In Icons said that the figurine was adjusted “countless times” to achieve the Apple visionary’s likeness and that making the doll was a tribute to Jobs.
“I am still Steve’s fan, I fully respect Steve and his family, and it is definitely not my wish or intention that they be upset,” said the statement, which was signed “inicons.com.”
“Though we still believe that we have not overstepped any legal boundaries, we have decided to completely stop the offer, production and sale of the Steve Jobs figurine out of our heartfelt sensitivity to the feelings of the Jobs family,” it said.
Apple did not respond Monday to a request for comment.
Jobs, who co-founded Apple and was one of the most widely admired entrepreneurs of the digital age, died Oct. 5 at 56 after a long struggle with cancer.
