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InfoGear sold an iPhone in the US way back in 1997. The company was later acquired by Cisco. Cisco still owned the iPhone trademark as Steve Jobs walked on staged to introduce Apple’s iPhone.

Apple settled with Cisco and both companies are allowed to use the name iPhone. It looks like someone just want a big paycheck from Apple that didn’t arrive.
*wanted a big paycheck from Cisco. It may have legitimately been an attempt to squat on the name and get Cisco to settle up, which would have been an easier fight for the Brazilian company to win, and then when Apple did their thing as you mention they completely upended the plan.
 
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