Now approaching its 40th year of designing and building high-end analog consoles and outboard processors, API Audio has been granted a trademark for its signature dual-concentric knob. Trademark for the knob, which graces every piece of API gear, was issued on January 1, 2008. Just as API’s trademark of its logo prevents other companies from copying its design, API’s trademark of its knob prevents other companies from copying the knob’s distinctive look.
“We secured the trademark primarily to protect our loyal customers, and to remove the temptation from other manufacturers to confuse the marketplace by copying or approximating the API look,” says API president Larry Droppa. “We felt it was especially important to protect API now, given the many studios and engineers investing in API equipment based on its distinct sound and reputation for excellence.”
API’s legal team proved to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that the API knob deserved protection, partly by submitting letters from users, dealers and even two major competitors who testified to the knob’s unmistakable connection to API. “With the trademark in place,” adds Droppa, “users can be assured of the integrity of our brand. The API look means the API sound, and the API sound continues to mean absolutely stunning audio.”
For more information, visit www.apiaudio.com.
