Apple loses exclusivity on 'iPhone' trademark in Brazil

[techbeck]

Brazil's Institute of Industrial Property has ruled that Apple does not hold exclusive rights to the "iPhone" trademark in the country. The decision comes after a dispute with Gradiente, a local company that first registered the trademark in 2000 ? long before Apple's revelatory smartphone was launched in 2007.

Apple may continue to use the iPhone trademark in Brazil, but it won't be able to claim exclusive ownership of the mark. That opens the door for Gradiente ? which released its own Android-based "iphone" late last year ? and other cellphone makers to capitalize on the popular brand. But that flexibility only applies to mobile phones: the INPI says Cupertino will keep some semblance of exclusivity over "iPhone" when the trademark is used elsewhere.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/13/3984548/apple-loses-exclusivity-on-iphone-trademark-in-brazil

[Techno_Funky]

This was front page news a while back.

[techbeck]

This was front page news a while back.

Hmm, seems TheVerge is slow then...

[Guest]

https://www.neowin.net/news/the-iphone-is-now-on-sale-in-brazil-runs-android-trolls-consumers

[Techno_Funky]

SK[' timestamp=1360776114' post='595519518]

http://www.neowin.ne...rolls-consumers

Hmm, seems TheVerge is slow then...

I am seeing a lot of websites reporting it. Also the link SK posted is just about the sale of the phone, so your article is post is indeed news.

[Guest]

Well there is this too...

https://www.neowin.net/news/apple-has-lost-iphone-naming-rights-in-brazil

[Growled Member]

Poor Apple can't get a break these days.