Breaking News: Cisco Sues apple over iPhone 'name'

[maash]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Cisco Systems Inc. said Wednesday it is suing Apple Inc. in federal court over Apple's use of Cisco's registered iPhone trademark for its new handheld device.

Cisco has owned the trademark on the name "iPhone" since 2000, when it acquired InfoGear Technology Corp., which originally registered the name.

And three weeks ago, Cisco's Linksys division put the trademark to use, releasing an Internet-enabled phone called "iPhone" that uses the increasingly popular Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

On Tuesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone, its "game-changing" touch- screen-controlled cell phone device that plays music, surfs the Web and delivers voicemail and e-mail.

"Cisco entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple repeatedly asked permission to use Cisco's iPhone name," said Mark Chandler, Cisco senior vice president and general counsel, in a statement. "There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission."

Cisco is seeking injunctive relief to prevent Apple from copying Cisco's iPhone trademark.

"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 added.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/10/D8MIN5CO0.html

[saxondale.]

Pretty sure everyone saw this happening, and im pretty sure Apple knew this and were ready for it.

[null_]

I think this might set the record for the quickest Product Launch / Lawsuit turnaround time yet!

[FlibbyFlobby]

If this swung Apple's way I think it would show a large amount of bias. Sure they have the whole iBrand thing going on, but they failed to protect their name, they know the score, they should be forced to change it to be honest. Wonder if they're gonna sue Linksys for their iPhone too?

[NienorGT]

They are not late heh... 1 day after the official announcement :p

[sundayx Veteran]

It is obvious they would do so, but wasnt there an ongoing agreement that they were signing a truce? guess that didnt work out. Smart play Cisco/Linksys

[Soham]

LOL go cisco! Well I knew this happening.

[Lee G. Veteran]

Surprise, surprise.

[MrCobra]

You can bet that is someone used one of thier trademarks (and it's happened) that Apple would be all sue happy to stop it. I for one hope Apple looses this.

[Pox]

Yeah, I'm actually surprised apple didn't manage to buy it off them... but hey, Apple getting sued is cool with me. :p

[goji]

I wonder what product names have not been registered yet so I can protect them and make a living suing companies :cool:

[P!P]

I thought Engadget reported that Cisco and Apple were in talks.

[Rob Veteran]

If their side of the story is true, and that Apple weren't receptive to communications relating to the licensing of the trademark, then Cisco is clearly right to defend their claim.

It'll be settled out-of-court no doubt.

[Slimy]

So much for 'Cisco Offers to License 'iPhone' Name to Apple' :pinch:

[HistoricalNeowin]

Haha! Someone trademark "Apple phone" quick :p Then they'll be screwed! They'll have to call it an Apple 3310 or something then :p

[macrosslover]

sometimes it seems like Apple charges headon into lawsuits on purpose and it's like they think just by the power of their name they'll triumph.

[boogerjones]

Dumb move by Apple, especially since Cisco's iPhone is also an actual phone. If it was some other networking product, then Apple would have no problem.

Also notice that the iPhone has conveniently made its way to the Cisco homepage.

[osirisX]

I'm surprised they didn't sue Apple yesterday during the keynote. Apple can just change the iPhone's name to iMobile, unless someone already has that.

[Pierce28]

I can see it now!

"Apple has announced the Ican'tbelieveitsnotIphone!"

:)

I'm sure they will settle this somehow. However, I would get a nice laugh if they have to name it something else.

[Knight85]

GO CISCO!!!

I would so like to see the iPhone trademark taken away from Apple. They can then run around and try to find a new name :)

[RaisinCain]

If this swung Apple's way I think it would show a large amount of bias. Sure they have the whole iBrand thing going on, but they failed to protect their name, they know the score, they should be forced to change it to be honest. Wonder if they're gonna sue Linksys for their iPhone too?

Cisco own Linksys so I doubt it.

[maash]

I'm surprised they didn't sue Apple yesterday during the keynote. Apple can just change the iPhone's name to iMobile, unless someone already has that.

someone already does: http://www.imobilepc.com/

[metallithrax]

GO CISCO!!!

I would so like to see the iPhone trademark taken away from Apple. They can then run around and try to find a new name :)

It doesn't have to be taken away, as they don't have it now, Cisco does

[paxa]

one day and already a lawsuit? :p

well if apple already knew that the iphone was already taken, why go with it anyway??

sometimes i just don't understand apple and their policies....

i'm waiting to see what comes out of this.

[halcyoncmdr]

I think we all saw this coming from a mile away, and I think that Apple has it worse than MS at this point for knowledge of a trademark violation. It's not like the fact that iPhone being owned by Cisco was hidden or anything. Shouldn't Apple have checked that before announcing the name? :p