Controversial Steve Jobs Action Figure Pulled from Sale

(NewsCore) - The Chinese company behind a controversial Steve Jobs doll is pulling the action figure from sale following "immense pressure" from Apple lawyers -- a decision that is bound to leave countless fans worldwide disappointed.

"I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the original intention for creating the figurine was driven by a fan's admiration of Steve," In Icons said in a statement which was gaining worldwide attention Monday.

"Unfortunately we have received immense pressure from the lawyers of Apple and Steve Jobs' family ... 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."

The company said full refunds would be given to anyone who had pre-ordered the figurine, which had been scheduled to begin shipping in February.

In Icons first advertised the eerily lifelike collectible -- which includes Jobs' signature black turtleneck, rimless glasses and jeans -- on Jan 3, three months after the Apple founder died following a long battle with cancer.

The foot-tall (30cm) action figure would have come with a stool and a backdrop that reads "One More Thing…" -- a reference to the trademark phrase Jobs used to unveil his latest gadget at the carefully orchestrated press events where he debuted the Macintosh computer, the iPhone, the iPad and other products, FOXNews.com reported.

It proclaimed then that the collectible was "dedicated to the genius, great inventor, and visionary: Steve Jobs."

Within 24 hours of the doll's announcement, traffic slowed In Icons' website to a crawl, proof of continuing public interest in the Silicon Valley inventor.

In Icons had planned an entire suite of gear to go with the Jobs action figure; the set was also to include two apples -- one with a bite out of it -- and three pairs of hands, reported Digital Trends.

The action figure had been priced at $99.99 and was packaged in a box that mimics Apple's clean, minimalistic white designs.

Last year, the maker of iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macintosh computers blocked the sale of unauthorized Steve Jobs bobble-head dolls made by a different company in China, AFP reported.