In my yesterday 3PM udpate about the discussion between Apple and Cisco concerning the iPhone trademark, I mentioned that nothing was yet signed, though both companies mentioned they could reach an agreement very soon...
Well, very surprising as it may seem, Apple communicated "iPhone" without any firm agreement from Cisco, and obviously they today disagree !
Late wednesday indeed, Cisco said they were filing a suite against Apple seeking to prevent them from using the iPhoen trademark.
"There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission," said Mark Chandler, Cisco's senior vice president and general counsel, in a statement.
The good thing for Apple is that this lawsuit should give even more publicity to the new revolutionary device, though they didn't really need it !
Honestly, that's weird. Anyway, this means that Apple perfectly measured the benefit of coherent brand. Putting the "i" in front of all their product names is indeed great.
I just hope that the benefit of this will be higher that the cost of the trial.
And what if the judgement commands Apple not to use the brand "iPhone" ?
They would have lost everything...
Posted by: Guillaume | January 11, 2007 at 12:28 AM
Well Guillaume, that sure wouldn't be a good news, but they will find another name and this great product still remains a great product whatever its name.
Also note that the iBook has become the MacBook, with no more "i". Also note that the iTV has become the Apple TV.
Posted by: Michel de Guilhermier | January 11, 2007 at 12:33 AM
My opinion is that negociations between Cisco and Apple are on their way (http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2007-01-09T190050Z_01_N09161330_RTRIDST_0_APPLE-IPHONE-CISCO-URGENT.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna) and it's just a strategy to put pressure on Apple.
Apple knows for a long time that Cisco had the trademark and they would never have introduced their product without been sure it will be the final name/brand.
Posted by: olivier | January 11, 2007 at 07:00 AM
Agreed, it's just a tactical move to force them to negotiate.
That's a typical thing with Americans, it's only when you sue them that you then really start to negotiate...
Posted by: Michel de Guilhermier | January 11, 2007 at 07:39 AM