Apple and Cisco: Get ready to rumble
It looks like the clouds of war are gathering over the Apple - Cisco relationship.
Earlier this week, the Mac maker and the networking giant were involved in secret meetings to hash out a deal that would allow Apple to use the iPhone name for its highly anticipated new product line. But it seems the final contracts were never signed when Steve Jobs introduced the phone, causing Cisco to go into full-on lawsuit mode. Well now it looks like Apple is ready to fight.
According to TUAW, Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told News.com:
“We think Cisco’s trademark suit is silly…We believe (their) trademark registration is tenuous at best,” said Natalie Kerris, an Apple spokeswoman.
“There are already several companies using the iPhone name for VoIP (voice over IP) products,” Kerris said. “We’re the first company ever to use iPhone for a cell phone. If Cisco wants to challenge us on it, we’re confident we’ll prevail.”
Harsh words from a corporate flunky. An article in the New York Times does point out that other companies, including Comwave, Nuvio, and Teledex, have been selling products under the iPhone name, so it does look like Cisco will be hard pressed to defend its trademark if a court date is ever set.
Which makes me wonder: Was Apple ever intending to enter into an agreement with Cisco? It sounds like maybe they were just trying to keep Cisco’s lawyers busy with a lot of talky-talk, all the while preparing to use the iPhone name without a deal. This story certainly is going get more intriguing in the coming months.
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