When we noted the other day that Apple did not yet have a link up on its site to its new-look Apple silhouette ad starring Eminem, a reader commented it was perhaps not on the site because it bore a striking similarity to a 2001 spot for Lugz footwear. We did a little investigating. First and foremost, the similarities between the Eminem/Apple spot and the Lugz spot are striking—nay, stunning—and worth taking a second to check out. Even looking at the screen-grabs here gets the point across; a frame from the Lugz ad is up and at left; two frames from the Eminem ad are below and at right. (To stream the Lugz ad, go to this link, then click on “Archive,” then “Lugz” and then “01”.) But, frankly, we can’t figure out what’s going on with the Eminem link on the Apple site, and at any rate, we doubt it has something to do with a kerfuffle between Apple and Lugz—at least at this point, since we saw the Eminem ad on air over the weekend.  A small Eminem icon has been added to the “TV ads” section here, but it still directs you to the ad featuring U2. (If you want to check the Eminem ad out again, here’s how. You can go to this link—thanks Ivan—or click on this link to Apple’s Webcast announcing the launch of the video iPod; then fast forward until the time counter hits just past 31:30.) We’d love to hear your comments. [UPDATE: As of Tuesday morning, the link to the Eminem spot on the Apple site was working. Click here.]

—Posted by Catharine P. Taylor