Apple Inc and Cisco Systems have resolved their trademark dispute over the use of the iPhone name.
As previously reported, the dispute over the use of the trademark came to a head last month when Apple boss Steve Jobs announced his intention to launch that hybrid mobile phone iPod called the iPhone. Cisco, who acquired the iPhone trademark in 2000 when they acquired a company called Infogear, who registered the name in 1996, said that while talks between the two firms had been ongoing regarding the trademark, Apple had no right to announce its product launch when those talks had yet to reach a conclusion. As a result they launched legal proceedings.
But the two technology firms have now reached an out of court settlement. Cisco had previously implied it would be willing to allow Apple to use the trademark because their 'iPhone' product, a voice over IP phone system, didn't compete directly with the mobile phone iPod. However they were pushing for certain 'interoperability' commitments from Apple before formally agreeing to that. The exact specifics of the new deal are not known, but Apple's statement on the matter implies the agreement is along the lines of Cisco's original proposal.
Apple said yesterday: "Cisco and Apple today announced that they have resolved their dispute involving the 'iPhone' trademark. Under the agreement, both companies are free to use the 'iPhone' trademark on their products throughout the world. Both companies acknowledge the trademark ownership rights that have been granted, and each side will dismiss any pending actions regarding the trademark. In addition, Cisco and Apple will explore opportunities for interoperability in the areas of security, and consumer and enterprise communications. Other terms of the agreement are confidential".