Firm Owning 'IPHONE' Trademark in Brazil Open to Selling Mark to Apple

[MacRumors]

Brazilian electronics maker IGB Electronica SA, which owns the trademark to 'IPHONE' in Brazil, has said it is willing to discuss selling the trademark to Apple following the launch of a line of Android phones bearing the 'IPHONE' mark in that country.

Bloomberg reports:

The owner of the iPhone trademark in Brazil, IGB Eletronica SA, said it would consider selling the naming rights to Apple Inc.

"We're open to a dialogue for anything, anytime," said Eugenio Emilio Staub, chairman of IGB, in an interview in Sao Paulo. "We're not radicals."

Brazil's Institute for Industrial Property confirmed this week that IGB has exclusive rights to the 'iphone' mark as it relates to mobile phones. Apple had requested exclusive use of the word in 2006, but the request was not granted because IGB's trademark dated back to 2000.

Apple has sold the iPhone in Brazil for several years, but with this ruling it appears Apple will need to negotiate with IGB for the right to use the 'iPhone' mark. A similar situation occurred in China last year. Proview Technology owned the Chinese trademark to "iPad" and eventually sold the mark to Apple for $60 million.

Article Link: Firm Owning 'IPHONE' Trademark in Brazil Open to Selling Mark to Apple

[timshundo]

Of course they are.

[drblank]

Originally Posted by timshundo

Of course they are.

They'd probably make more money selling the name to Apple than there is profit in selling the actual product.

[Meandmunch]

Cash grab. If this is legit, I would if I could.

[BRLawyer]

Originally Posted by Meandmunch

Cash grab. If this is legit, I would if I could.

As a Brazilian, I can assure that it's more than legit - the Brazilian IP Institute has already confirmed the validity of the mark, which was the correct assessment based on date of registration and use.

And no, Gradiente is not just an IP troll - they have been in business for more than 30 years now, and used to produce some really good higher-end audio systems.

They probably seized the opportunity with the "iTrend" back then and are able to cash in now...nothing surprising.

In summary, Apple has only two choices: pay up or get out. It's as simple as that.

p.s.: To the geographically-challenged out there: remember that Brazil is not China as far as IP protection is concerned.

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Originally Posted by gugy

They can't afford it.

Indeed...the UK is cheaper, for instance - with far worse weather and women, of course.

[VulchR]

'EuPhone'*?

*According to Google translate, 'Eu' is Portuguese for 'I'. By the way, in looking this up Google had the bad taste to advertise their browser. I can see a day when Google requires their browser to use their search engine....

[skorpien]

Patent troll or not, it's obvious they were just trying to profit from the name. And now that their own device has flopped, they're willing to talk with Apple... I say Apple should just change the name to Apple Phone or some such thing in Brazil and let them keep their trademark.

[BRLawyer]

Originally Posted by skorpien

Patent troll or not, it's obvious they were just trying to profit from the name. And now that their own device has flopped, they're willing to talk with Apple... I say Apple should just change the name to Apple Phone or some such thing in Brazil and let them keep their trademark.

No, they won't ever accept to dillute their brand like that - Apple will have to pay up, that's for sure.

How much? No idea, but Mr Staub will surely appreciate the extra income.

[nick_elt]

Originally Posted by skorpien

Patent troll or not, it's obvious they were just trying to profit from the name. And now that their own device has flopped, they're willing to talk with Apple... I say Apple should just change the name to Apple Phone or some such thing in Brazil and let them keep their trademark.

Patent troll??? are you for real? the legitamately own the trademark and have so since 2000. They havent been pushing apple too hard as they could of since they are selling iphones already in brazil.

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Originally Posted by Peace

All Apple has to do is tell Brazil they are going to stop making stuff in Brazil.

Then sit back and watch how fast Apple gets the trademark in Brazil.

Brazil doesnt own the trademark....

[Ingot]

Originally Posted by BRLawyer

As a Brazilian, I can assure that it's more than legit - the Brazilian IP Institute has already confirmed the validity of the mark, which was the correct assessment based on date of registration and use.

And no, Gradiente is not just an IP troll - they have been in business for more than 30 years now, and used to produce some really good higher-end audio systems.

They probably seized the opportunity with the "iTrend" back then and are able to cash in now...nothing surprising.

In summary, Apple has only two choices: pay up or get out. It's as simple as that.

p.s.: To the geographically-challenged out there: remember that Brazil is not China as far as IP protection is concerned.

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Indeed...the UK is cheaper, for instance - with far worse weather and women, of course.

Yes. Two girls one cup really showcases the Brazilian women.

[techwhiz]

Remove the iPhone references on stuff going to Brazil.
Just call it the "Apple Phone".
Everyone will know it's an iPhone, just don't call it that in Brazil.

[mrsir2009]

Originally Posted by techwhiz

Remove the iPhone references on stuff going to Brazil.
Just call it the "Apple Phone".
Everyone will know it's an iPhone, just don't call it that in Brazil.

What’s the bet that if that happened Americans would try get hold of these “apple phones” for the novelty of having an “apple phone”?

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Originally Posted by climberfx

Sorry Guys, sorry Apple. My Country one more time show the face of a rascal one. Gradiente show that don't have principles and wanna to stork money from other with this bull **** of trademarks. I'm so sorry. The people on this country ask for forgiveness, because this are the one's in charge here, the minority that **** us all. a bunch of liars and thief's .

Ass.: A brazilian guy that try to do things right.

Apple can afford it - Don’t you worry about them

[BRLawyer]

Originally Posted by Ingot

Yes. Two girls one cup really showcases the Brazilian women.

The porn industry in the US is still bigger than ours...they invented it all, ya know.

[brdeveloper]

Originally Posted by BRLawyer

And no, Gradiente is not just an IP troll - they have been in business for more than 30 years now, and used to produce some really good higher-end audio systems.

I had a dual tape-deck from Gradiente in the 90's, really nice, with a lot of inputs and outputs, noise reduction mechanisms, etc. A bit less expensive and as good as Sony decks of the time. Sadly, Gradiente profits couldn't grow as fast as the market claimed, so it went into bankruptcy in mid 2000s.

Also, it made really nice cell phones in late 90s and early 2000s like the Chroma and Strike models (in partnership with Nokia).

http://press.nokia.com/2000/10/20/no...t-venture-ngi/

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Originally Posted by MN7119

Gradiente is a broken company that for 30 years failed to deliver any technology that is worth buying. They found an opportunity to make some money which they never did. It is sad to be a Brazilian when you see things like this.

If you were brazilian you should know that Gradiente made some pretty decent products until 2000 - remember "Meu Primeiro Gradiente" or "Laser Boy" or a lot of pretty good sound systems paired with Sharp and Sony. No, you're not brazilian.

[Michaelgtrusa]

Money talks eh? Everyone wants a piece.

[Risco]

It's a done deal, you don't mess with Apple or it's lawyers.

[Dr McKay]

Originally Posted by Risco

It's a done deal, you don't mess with Apple or it's lawyers.

Mess? They owned this trademark years before iPhone existed. How are they messing with Apple?

[thekris1234]

Yes, for the small sum of 8 billion, Apple can have it when they want.

[Rudy69]

No kidding, that's what it was about the whole time. They'll never really make money selling their "IPHONE" android phones

[WhoDaKat]

Shocker!

[Compile 'em all]

Yeah man, just take the money!

[oliversl]

They're open to lawsuits and bankruptcy, good luck with that

[zap2]

Originally Posted by oliversl

They're open to lawsuits and bankruptcy, good luck with that

Yup...and they won their lawsuit in Brazil.

Apple will most likely end up paying, not the end of the world, but to be fair, these guys owned it first.

[Risco]

Originally Posted by Dr McKay

Mess? They owned this trademark years before iPhone existed. How are they messing with Apple?

Yes mess, not in the context of current ownership but more that Apple always get's what it wants.

[dreadnort]

Originally Posted by Risco

Yes mess, not in the context of current ownership but more that Apple always get's what it wants.

And by this comment Apple is just the street thug, gimme what i want or i'll beat it out of you.

Apple will have to pay what the company wants they cant and should not be allowed to just take it.

If Apple have been selling iphones in brazil for many years what name has it gone by? (anyone know) or have they already been infringing on the iphone trade mark?