Silicon Valley (PTI): US computer giant Apple Inc. has launched a legal challenge against New York City, saying that a new logo for its environmental campaign is too similar to the company's own stylized mark that has been in use since 1977.

The Silicon Valley company, which is known for its Ipod nano, Imac and software products, said they're suing New York City - the Big Apple - because the GreeNYC logo is too similar to Apple Inc. mark -in appearance and commercial impression- and will "seriously injure the reputation which [Apple] has established for its goods and services."

GreeNYC's logo is a green apple with a stalk and a leaf and it includes a subtle infinity symbol woven into it. The city has applied for a trademark on the logo. The Apple logo, on the other hand, has a bite taken out of it on the right side and has a leaf that leans right, while GreeNYC's leaf leans left.

The company said the GreeNYC logo so closely resembles Apple's mark that its use was likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception in the minds of consumers as to the origin or source of goods and services offered by the non-profit environmental entity, with consequent injury to Apple Inc. and the public.

The city believes that Apple's claims have no merit and that no consumer is likely to be confused," says Gerald Singleton, the intellectual-property lawyer representing the city.

"This well-known city is using its new design in a variety of contexts that have absolutely nothing to do with Apple Inc," said Singleton.