Cisco’s iPhone Trademark Lawsuit is ‘Silly’ Says Apple

While Apple may have popularized the little "i" with products like iMac, iBook, iPod, iTunes and iLife, the iPhone name has already been taken. Cisco has owned the trademark for iPhone since 2000 when it was purchased from Infogear. Infogear originally filed for the trademark in 1996 (well before Apple jumped into the "i" business). Cisco just recently ushered the name into service with a new line of VoIP devices marketed by Cisco’s Linksys division.

Although Apple and Cisco have been in talks for quite some time over the iPhone name, no agreement was ever reached. Nevertheless, Apple boldly decided yesterday to announce the iPhone at MacWorld. Cisco isn’t too happy about the move and has filed a lawsuit against Apple, Inc.

Daily Tech - Apple Sued for Trademark Infringement Over iPhone

Apple responded by saying the lawsuit was "silly" and that Cisco’s trademark registration was "tenuous at best".

"We think Cisco’s trademark lawsuit is silly," Apple spokesman Alan Hely said. "There are already several companies using the name iPhone for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) products."

"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."

BBC – Cisco to sue Apple on iPhone name