Cisco sues Apple for using the name iPhone for their new smart phone that was introduced yesterday at MacWorld. It was claimed that iPhone, is a trademark of Linksys. Linksys is a subdivision of Cisco. Linksys picked up the name iPhone after an acquisition of a company name Infogear Technology (year 2000).

They’re different products.

Says Greg Joswiak, vice president of worldwide iPod marketing claimed that these 2 are different product. Cisco’s iPhone is a VoIP whereas Apple’s a smart phone. He says

On Cisco’s side, their responses are as follows

Cisco spokesman, John Noh

Because they have been negotiating with us on licensing the trademark all this time, Apple is acknowledging that we own the name

Senior vice president and general counsel for Cisco, Mark Chandler

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

Here’s how a Cisco iPhone looks like

Update #1

Apple spokesman Steve Dowlin,

If Cisco wants to challenge us on it, we’re very confident we’ll prevail

Update #2

Apple and Cisco decide to delay the lawsuit and talk it outside the court. Read more at macworld.

Posted by hongkiat in Tech News, at 01.11.07