Well.. it was bound to happen. Cisco has owned the trademark to the term iPhone for about 7 years now, and just moments ago filed a Federal lawsuit (in the US) against Apple.. who just launched the iPhone at the MacWorld conference.
Cisco acquired the iPhone trademark through the acquisition of Linksys a while back - the TM is valid as of November 16, 1999….
Word Mark IPHONE Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer hardware and software for providing integrated telephone communication with computerized global information networks. FIRST USE: 19970606. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970606 Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING Design Search Code Serial Number 75076573 Filing Date March 20, 1996 Current Filing Basis 1A Original Filing Basis 1B Published for Opposition December 29, 1998 Registration Number 2293011 Registration Date November 16, 1999 Owner (REGISTRANT) INFOGEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 1775 WOODSIDE ROAD REDWOOD CITY CALIFORNIA 94061(LAST LISTED OWNER) CISCO TECNOLOGY, INC. CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 170 WEST TASMAN SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA 95134 Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED Attorney of Record KAREN MARIE KITTERMAN Type of Mark TRADEMARK Register PRINCIPAL Affidavit Text SECT 8 (6-YR). Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
Of course, that information is straight from TESS at the USPTO ![]()
They’ve been in negotiations to work out a settlement for a few weeks (if you follow IT industry news relating to intellectual property)… but well.. looks like Cisco decided to put on a bit more pressure.
Linksys, or Cisco… also own iphone.com - for the Internet Phone Company suite of VOIP products.
Bottom line: you may want to increase your CSCO holdings to benefit from a short term sweet settlement deal from Steve…
Edit 19:12 - CNBC is reporting a response by Apple rep… stating that the lawsuit is “frivolous” and that many companies are using the iPhone(tm) term for VOIP services… and that if CSCO wishes to pursue this suit that… AAPL will.. “prevail”…
ahhhh fightin’ words! ![]()
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