When you think iPhone, you probably think Apple. Cisco went to court to make sure that wouldn’t happen. Instead, the two companies agreed that both were free to use the iPhone trademark on products through out the world. Unfortunately for Apple, Cisco isn’t the only company with a dog in this fight.
As Apple sets its sights on other countries for the launch of iPhone, it will undoubtedly face more legal battles. It is possible that there could be a trademark lawsuit in Canada, and a patent lawsuit in Europe.
Apple doesn’t seem all that impressed with the lawsuits and has referred to at least one of them as just silly. But that doesn’t mean the industry giant isn’t willing to pay up to avoid the court room. It is a wise company that realized you may be right, but you would be crazy to give it to a jury (or even a judge in this day and age).
With other products carrying the “i” (such as iMac and iPod), the iPhone would call up images of Apple no matter who tried to launch it. I doubt the companies that are preparing to fight for their rights to the iPhone are interested in the name. It all comes back to the almighty dollar. It’s much more likely that they just want a piece of the pie.
In the end, the only one who suffers is me - the consumer. Can’t we all just get along?