Cisco sues Apple over iPhone Trademark

They knew all along that Cisco had it. It’s most likely just a question of how much Apple will pay them for it.
 
It's a pretty blatant and flagrant disregard for the law. What does Apple do when someone uses something of theirs that's trademarked, eh?
 
I find it strange how they didn't seem to approach them *before* introducing it. Maybe they did. Well... We'll see. Worst case, they'll have to rename it (and everyone's still going to call it iPhone). I didn't see a product name on the product itself.
 
I find it strange how they didn't seem to approach them *before* introducing it. Maybe they did. Well... We'll see. Worst case, they'll have to rename it (and everyone's still going to call it iPhone). I didn't see a product name on the product itself.
They did: Expected Agreement

Maybe once Cisco saw how much Apple’s stock jumped yesterday they decided to ask a whole lot more.
 
From what I read... and what Cisco is quoted as saying, is that Apple apparently had "terms" of an agreement on their desk as of Jan 8, 2007. On Jan 9, Apple comes out and promotes the iPhone and still, COB on Jan 9, Cisco still has not got a contract back.

Cisco is just trying to let the world/media know that their iPhone is still in play, that no official agreement has been made, and to make Apple look like a goof. The interesting thing here, we have not seen the whole story. It could simply have been an oversight (that someone will get fired for) or perhaps, Apple owns the trademark all over the world, except in the USA... and while I am not a legal expert nor do I know trademark case law, but perhaps, owning trademarks all over the world, might trump a single non-used trademark in the USA.

This will be interesting to see how it comes out. If Apple is doing something on purpose, it is because they know something we and Cisco don't. The fact that Apple has discussed the name with Cisco and apparently, come to some type of terms to consider... probably means that Apple just slipt up, or at the last minute, had a change of heart.

I don't think iPhone name is all that great. Heck, it could be a called a PodPhone, that sounds better anyhow.

Just more PR for Apple and Cisco, as if they need anymore.
 
.... The interesting thing here, we have not seen the whole story. It could simply have been an oversight (that someone will get fired for) or perhaps, Apple owns the trademark all over the world, except in the USA... and while I am not a legal expert nor do I know trademark case law, but perhaps, owning trademarks all over the world, might trump a single non-used trademark in the USA.

....
Cisco's trademark is not exactly unused. IIRC, it announced its VOIP iPhone last week. For the most part, I agree with simbalala. Before Jobs announced the Apple iPhone, Apple and Cisco were on the verge of an agreement for Cisco to turn the iPhone trademark over to Apple. The Earth-shattering positive response to the Apple product took Cisco by surprise. It now wants more money--a lot more.
 
Cisco's trademark is not exactly unused. IIRC, it announced its VOIP iPhone last week. For the most part, I agree with simbalala. Before Jobs announced the Apple iPhone, Apple and Cisco were on the verge of an agreement for Cisco to turn the iPhone trademark over to Apple. The Earth-shattering positive response to the Apple product took Cisco by surprise. It now wants more money--a lot more.
Apple's market capitalization (going by the stock price) jumped $6 Billion yesterday.
 
I have a theory on this:

Apple are doing this to see if they can get away with it. If not, the iPhone will revert to the [Apple Logo]Phone much like the [Apple Logo]TV.

My evidence for this, whle thin, is based on Apple's official iPhone site which, you'll notice, places the Apple logo before every major instance of the word "iPhone". They don't usually do this, so I wonder if all goes badly they will remove the "i" from "iPhone" and bring the Apple logo in a few pixels and the casual observer will be none the wiser.
 
I think Cisco was developing their voip phone for a while but probably had no intent to call it the iPhone. Then Apple tries to get the trademark from them so Cisco calls their phone the iPhone just so that if it ever went to court then they can show that product. I think this is evident because Cisco must have known Apple was coming out with something and then Cisco comes out with this only a month earlier.
 
I find it strange how they didn't seem to approach them *before* introducing it. Maybe they did. Well... We'll see. Worst case, they'll have to rename it (and everyone's still going to call it iPhone). I didn't see a product name on the product itself.

Cisco and Apple did have talks, but they broke off with a less than favorable result...
 
It's a 'beg for forgiveness later' move by Apple in which they will pay a lump sum which will equal less than a prolonged litigation and it will get what it wants by forcing Cisco into the deal.

The trademark for iPhone goes back to 1996 so it's not exactly a new thing. The law is on Cisco's side on this one, but again--it all comes down to money and popularity and Apple's got both in spades.

Cisco owns the mark. Apple is breaking the law by using it. Unfortunately, these days the law matters less and less...
 
that is the most tenuous case i've ever heard. if apple decided to call their new mac the Starbucks iMac, they'd get slapped. and the fact that the computer isn't coffee doesn't even come close to being a good argument.
 
Depends. You can have a "Sun" computer company and a "Sun" newspaper without much trouble. Of course the iPhone and the iPhone are _too_ similar, I believe. Whether it uses VoIP or GSM is a matter of protocols - the user still uses it to make phone calls. And the "i" in iPhone can quite clearly put to its internet useage. Also if Apple _really_ goes about this the VoIP route, they'll _never_ be able to allow us to iChat with audio, because that very much _is_ VoIP, even if Apple doesn't give it that label. Well: Maybe they don't _want_ to do that, anyway. (Or rather aren't allowed by cingular and other carriers.) We'll see. I'm pretty confident it'll be called iPhone when it hits the market.
 
Apple will win period.. Apple's iPhone is a celluar not a voip. Cisco's iphone have to connect to network ports in the office. Therefore, Apple, inc will win..
 
Apple will win period.. Apple's iPhone is a celluar not a voip. Cisco's iphone have to connect to network ports in the office. Therefore, Apple, inc will win..

Apple will NOT win soley on the basis of a more popular techology. They have to first climb the first legal hurdle vs. Cisco Systems. Not only that, due to Cingular's various systems restrictions on the phone itself, there's a lot of confusion right now regarding how adaptable this phone is going to be. Folks don't even know yet if it will run Flash, for gosh sakes.

The iPhone is FAR from out of the woods yet.
 
What I find surprising is that the "iPhone" had been the iPhone for years - on rumor sites. It's was the logical name for an Apple phone in the days of the "i" products - the iMac, iPod, iTunes, etc. Although the "iPhone" was trademarked by Cisco two years before the iMac's introduction, it had nowhere near the popularity or significance at the time. Even now, people look at "i" products and assume that it works with an iPod, or a Mac (iLounge, iHome, iSymphony). The iPhone is just another product that was released with the "hip" i-name, popularized by Apple. They might have a case with that..
 
*smirk*

I think Apple know the "iPhone" name has become or is going to become synonymous with the Apple product, not Cisco's. I'm surprised Cisco went for this, unless their case was really that weak!
 
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