AfterDawn: News

Cisco sues Apple over iPhone

Global leader in network device manufacturing, Cisco isn't very impressed with the latest offering from Apple. Shortly after the Keynote Address by Apple CEO Steve Jobs where the new iPhone was announced, Cisco got themselves in a fit over what they feel is their trademark.

Cisco's VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) telephone systems use the term Iphone quite regularly. Cisco claims that Apple's launch of their iPhone is a direct violation of their trademark and has issued a lawsuit to protect their rights.



When asked about the latest developments, an Apple representative was quoted in saying, "We think Cisco's trademark lawsuit is silly. There are already several companies using the name iPhone for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) products." Makes you wonder if that silly Apple representative just opened his company up for those several other companies to try and get a piece of the action.

Apple further responded with, "We are the first company to ever use the iPhone name for a cell phone, and if Cisco wants to challenge us on it we are very confident we will prevail."

Cisco had entered talks with Apple about the fair use of the trademark, but had never formally given permission to use it. Cisco stated that it was under the impression that Apple would release a public statement regarding the trademark, but did no such thing prior to launch of their product.

A Cisco representative said, "This issue is not about money, and it's not about the phone itself; it is about Cisco's obligation to protect its trademark in the face of Apple using it without our permission."

Source:
BBC

Written by: Dave Horvath @ 10 Jan 2007 17:32

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• 19 comments

• tabletpc

  this is true linksys and several manufactures for vonage do the same thing they call it iphone cisco doesn't own the rights to a word thats c%$%
  
  

  10.1.2007 17:40 #1

• borhan9

  Man i think the term "Iphone" should be a generic term like smart phone and things like that some of these things are getting out of hand.

  10.1.2007 18:50 #2

• Unfocused

  OK, I remember hearing a little while back that Apple wanted to trademark the name “Pod” being that they claim it was them who skyrocketed that word into everyday speech.
  
  They had started to go after Burger King for calling their French fry container a FryPod. Apple felt that this was piggyback infringement. They honestly felt that the success of the iPod entitled them to the exclusive use of the word “Pod”, and that any other company who put they word “Pod” into their product name should have to either rename their product or offer up a monetary value to apple.
  
  Now, they feel that it is okay for them to use iPhone and have the nerve to say that they are not worried about any kind of legal retaliation?
  
  Apple should know better than this after all the grief that they went through with the Apple music label (Beatles.)
  
  Maybe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks….
  

  10.1.2007 20:23 #3

• ZippyDSM

  its funny.....ah.....silly things the rich do....

  10.1.2007 23:01 #4

• ZippyG

  Putting "i" in front of a common word isn't exactly creative. In fact, it is really stupid. The "i" can only stand for idiot. I wonder how much longer Apple can scoot along on overpriced music player sales and an overrated music download service.

  11.1.2007 03:03 #5

• KrazyKarl

  I currently am trademarking the following:
  
  iInternet
  iWireless
  iStereo
  iCar
  iChair
  iSunglasses
  iToilet Paper
  iCondoms
  
  ....there i've officially taken Apple out of business. The world will be a happier place.
  
  [I believe Apple is said best when sticking out your tongue and holding it]

  11.1.2007 05:03 #6

• thecraigc

  @ tabletpc -- umm... doesn't cisco own linksys?
  
  coz my linksys router says cisco systems on it.
  
  @ KrazyKarl -- i think apple are trying to trademark the letter "i" and the word "pod"
  

  
  

  11.1.2007 10:38 #7

• ddp

  thecraigc, yes cisco owns linksys

  11.1.2007 11:33 #8

• lxfactor

  yea just like bellsouth owns cingular.. and cingular ownss AT&T... but AT&T is getting together with bellsouth with the whole DSL.. and im sure pepsi and coke have a connection.. i bet pepsi owns all..

  11.1.2007 14:01 #9

• pspjunior

  i never knew cisco was such a big company

  11.1.2007 15:02 #10

• ZippyDSM

  Pepsi owns both Pizza hut and dominoes I am surprised dominoes still has coke products.

  11.1.2007 15:06 #11

• bobiroc

  Quote:Pepsi owns both Pizza hut and dominoes I am surprised dominoes still has coke products.Where did you hear that? Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC were all once owned by Pepsico but now they are owned by Yum Coperation. This may be a branch of Pepsico which to my knowledge never owned Dominos Pizza. In fact Dominos Pizza is its own company based out of Austrailia/New Zealand as referenced here http://www.dominos.com.au/great_company/company_news_detail.asp?ID=20&pnav=6&snav=20&NewsID=411 and Pepsico and Yum Corperation are US Based.

  11.1.2007 16:24 #12

• bobiroc

  I think Apple should hook up with a company that makes vacuums and make a vacuum that plays music while you clean and call it iSuck

  11.1.2007 16:25 #13

• seb32

  just think of how many losers would buy it...

  11.1.2007 16:30 #14

• thecraigc

  @ bobiroc -- domino's pizza was establishes in the USA... the guy who make the best pizza place ever - Domino's - wanted to open 3 pizzarias... hence the 3 dots on the domino... i think it was 2 in CA and 1 in NY... not too sure thought.
  
  anyway BACK ON TOPIC
  
  this is umm... a bit dumb.
  
  and i like the bit that goes, "Makes you wonder if that silly Apple representative just opened his company up for those several other companies to try and get a piece of the action."

  12.1.2007 07:05 #15

• Moose2000

  "this is true linksys and several manufactures for vonage do the same thing they call it iphone cisco doesn't own the rights to a word thats c%$%"
  
  Just to point out in a geeky way, Cisco own Linksys.

  13.1.2007 05:24 #16

• ddp

  Moose2000, i already mentioned that on my 11 January 2007 16:33 post.

  13.1.2007 07:54 #17

• Moose2000

  Sorry my good friend, must've missed it. I can see it being thrown out of court similar to a McDonalds case a few years ago. They sued a chinese resteraunt called McChina and were told they could not trademark the prefix 'Mc'
  

  14.1.2007 05:24 #18

• joe777

  and do microsoft own a part of cisco?
  
  Edit: and if I'm not mistaken microsoft also own a part of apple, but probably not that division/sector. Money comes to money eh!!!

  14.1.2007 14:40 #19