Cisco sues Apple over iPhone name

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Dan Warne11 January 2007, 1:06 AM

Networking giant Cisco has sued Apple over theft of Cisco's iPhone trademark. Today's iPhone is not tomorrow's iPhone, said Cisco.


Networking giant Cisco has filed suit against Apple over the use of Cisco's iPhone trademark.

Cisco obtained the iPhone trademark in 2000 after buying Infogear, the previous owner of the trademark, which had also sold iPhone products for several years.

Infogear's original filing for the trademark dates to March 20, 1996.

Linksys, the home user/small office division of Cisco, has been shipping a new family of iPhone products since early last year, and shipped a new iPhone product as recently as December 18.

"Cisco entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple repeatedly asked permission to use Cisco's iPhone name," said Mark Chandler, senior vice president and general counsel, Cisco.

"There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission.

"Today's iPhone is not tomorrow's iPhone. The potential for convergence of the home phone, cell phone, work phone and PC is limitless, which is why it is so important for us to protect our brand," Chandler concluded.

Cisco is seeking a court injunction to stop Apple from using the iPhone trademark immediately.


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David Flynn:

Looks like Cisco could be set to order off the menu.

"Hmmm... we'll take tens of millions in cash plus that much again in Apple stock, plus an iPod for every employee - no, on second thoughts, make that an iPod and a MacBook - oh, and they all get free unlimited downloads on iTunes..."



29 February 2008, 8:29 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tony Brown:

I guess Apple had it coming to them after all the rotten stuff they've been foisting on us over the years what with Ipods,Apple Macs,I-tunes and all the other various ways they try to part you from your hard earned crispy dollars.
Wouldn't be so bad but you can only use their stuff with their products.
Sounds like monopoly to me again.
Do I hear Bill gates awakening from his cave to shake his teeth in dismay :):):)
Onya Apple go for the jugular.

29 February 2008, 8:29 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Marid Audran:

Newton 3
Newton Smartphone
Smart Newton
New Newton


29 February 2008, 8:35 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Potoroo:

ZDNet's blogs are going stupid over this. If Cisco's claims are true then Apple basically tried to ambush them. They've been applying to trademark "iPhone" around the world, including Australia, not always in their own name but sometimes using shelf companies. When Jobs was doing his song and dance routine Cisco executives were stunned as Apple had not signed on the bottom line to Cisco's licencing terms, which they claim were fundamentally about future interoperability. Apple's counter-claim that Cisco's claim to the trademark is "weak" suggests there'll be no quick settlement out of court. The big problem for Apple's arrogance this time is that Cisco isn't a penniless blogger they can bully - it's twice Apple's size and it's been actively selling a product called "iPhone" in the US for some years!

PS: why does APC's spell checker try to insist I use American instead of Australian spelling?

29 February 2008, 8:29 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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