Apple Loses Appeal in 'iPhone' Naming Rights Case in Mexico

[MacRumors]

Apple has lost an appeal over its use of the 'iPhone' trademark in Mexico, reports The Wall Street Journal. The case has been going on for some time, but does not appear to impact Apple's ability to sell the iPhone and related services in the country.

Apple sued to have the Ifone brand revoked on grounds it had expired for the Mexican company, but a federal court found that Ifone SA, registered in 2003, was making proper use of it. The Supreme Court this week rejected Apple's appeal against the decision at the request of Ifone.

Ifone's corporate lawyer Eduardo Gallastegui said the decision frees the company to continue with its claims, already submitted to the Industrial Property Institute IMPI, for damages resulting from the use of its name by Apple and by three Mexican mobile phone service providers: America Movil unit Telcel, Spain's Telefonica SA and Grupo Iusacell.

This is not the first time that Apple has run into trademark issues with its products. Previous court cases in Brazil and China have ended in settlements.

Article Link: Apple Loses Appeal in 'iPhone' Naming Rights Case in Mexico

[WiiDSmoker]

On one hand Apple started the whole 'i' thing; but iFone was started in 2003 here.....so Apple is technically wrong and should have lost this case.

[nepalisherpa]

Yet another settlement case for Apple. Man, I wish I had thought of iPhone or iFone or something similar.

[baryon]

Isn't it spelt differently enough?

[iGrip]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

This is not the first time that Apple has run into trademark issues with its products. Previous court cases in Brazil and China have ended in settlements.

With Apple's crackerjack legal team, The Hits Just Keep on Coming!!!

[bradl]

Originally Posted by WiiDSmoker

On one hand Apple started the whole 'i' thing;

*ahem*Cisco*ahem*

but iFone was started in 2003 here.....so Apple is technically wrong and should have lost this case.

This would be a proper example of prior art coming into play and prevailing; something the USPTO should take notes on.

BL.

[tekboi]

Another trademark issue with Apple.... shocker.

[spb3]

good.

[The Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by bradl

*ahem*Cisco*ahem*

*ahem*iMac*ahem*

[Zwhaler]

Good. Apple needs to chill. They want world domination over any name that resembles Apple or their products. "Doesn't impact the ability to sell the iPhone or related services in the country", seriously Apple chill, bro!

[jsolares]

Originally Posted by baryon

Isn't it spelt differently enough?

The pronunciation is effectively the same though.

[samcraig]

Originally Posted by WiiDSmoker

On one hand Apple started the whole 'i' thing; but iFone was started in 2003 here.....so Apple is technically wrong and should have lost this case.

Originally Posted by The Mad Hatter

*ahem*iMac*ahem*

Motorola had a series of phones with the preface "i" back in the early 90s

Before Cisco.

[bambamyi]

Apple deserves a hard slap on the face. I am saying this because they messed up big time since Steve passed away. I used to love apple products...

Apple... what goes around will eventually comes around... stop chasing other companies with patent BS because it will come back to you as well.

[Krazy Bill]

So... you can trademark a letter of the alphabet now? Only 25 left folks, better hurry!

[jontech]

1 billion pesos settlement


or 20 dollars, whichever is greater

[Tankmaze]

Apple deserves a hard slap on the face. I am saying this because they messed up big time since Steve passed away. I used to love apple products...

Apple... what goes around will eventually comes around... stop chasing other companies with patent BS because it will come back to you as well.

chasing patent with android is probably what happen with windows in the past (steve showed bill the lisa). they don't want it to happen again, but it seems android really do take off and history repeat itself.

[GenesisST]

Originally Posted by Krazy Bill

So... you can trademark a letter of the alphabet now? Only 25 left folks, better hurry!

I guess I should trademark the fYou before Facebook does!
(Not directed at you, just following the silliness!)

[Radio]

Even lawyers need work

[bradl]

Originally Posted by The Mad Hatter

*ahem*iMac*ahem*

Originally Posted by samcraig

Motorola had a series of phones with the preface "i" back in the early 90s

Before Cisco.

Cisco had iOS on their hardware as early as 1994. I can't remember if Motorola had anything on mobile phones back then.. If so, they were the huge bricks that required a briefcase..

BL.

[samcraig]

Originally Posted by bradl

Cisco had iOS on their hardware as early as 1994. I can't remember if Motorola had anything on mobile phones back then.. If so, they were the huge bricks that required a briefcase..

BL.

I couldn't find a source for 1994. If you have one I'd love to see it. Motorola dates back to 1996. And the phone was not at all a suitcase phone nor HUGE brick.

The i500...

[pgiguere1]

Originally Posted by baryon

Isn't it spelt differently enough?

The fact that it's spelled "iFone" and not "Ifone" is clearly an Apple influence, probably from the iPod which was getting popular at that time.

It's not any worse than a lot of other brands though, including iHome products, which are even sold at Apple Stores.

[JayCee842]

Originally Posted by samcraig

I couldn't find a source for 1994. If you have one I'd love to see it. Motorola dates back to 1996. And the phone was not at all a suitcase phone nor HUGE brick.

The i500...

Image

What in Gods name is that? It's so ugly

[Sedrick]

Originally Posted by The Mad Hatter

*ahem*iMac*ahem*

You guys might want to check your iZod shirts...

[Sol]

This could be an opportunity for Apple to try some new names. Personally, I hope they go for el Macco.

[samcraig]

Originally Posted by JayCee842

What in Gods name is that? It's so ugly

Sorry - did you join the cell phone universe with the iPhone?

The i500 - while not pretty by today's standards was a kickass phone in its day. And certainly the "look" most phones had.