Firm Launches 'IPHONE' Brand of Android Phones, Touts Trademark Ownership in Brazil

[MacRumors]

Brazilian electronics maker IGB Electronica SA has announced a new line of Android phones under the IPHONE brand, a trademark that was originally applied for in Brazil in 2000.

From Reuters:

The first model will be called "Neo One," IGB said in a securities filing. The company was formed this year after the restructuring of Gradiente Eletronica SA, which had applied for exclusive rights in Brazil to register its products under the name IPHONE in 2000.

Apple will either file a lawsuit, or perhaps more likely, begin negotiations for a settlement deal.

Apple was involved in a similar trademark issue in China, with Proview owning the "iPad" trademark. Apple ended up paying that company $60 million to gain control of the 'iPad' trademark.

Brazil is an important country for Apple. The company has begun hiring for new Apple Stores in the country, which would be its first locations in South America and Apple and Foxconn have begun iPad and iPhone production there.

Finally, Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in the past that Brazil is the company's next big target after China.

Article Link: Firm Launches 'IPHONE' Brand of Android Phones, Touts Trademark Ownership in Brazil

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

I wonder how much they're hoping to extract from Apple. I wonder how much Apple is going to be willing to part with to secure the iPhone trademark in Brazil.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Android sure does look dull...

 

[KdParker]

Now that will be confusing.

I wonder how much Apple will have have to pay to get the rights?

 

[notjustjay]

So, this is just a blatant money grab, right?

 

[MikhailT]

It will be an interesting to see what happens.

Brazilian gov't fought hard to get manufacturing jobs and keeping Apple happy is a part of that. So, Apple does have leverage to get that company to transfer the rights.

The fact that they didn't use the trademark until now will only weaken their defense against this.

 

[roxxette]

So this is the same story like the ipad china ?

 

[Apple Key]

That phone is ugly and doesn't deserve the iPhone name (whether it is in all caps or not).

 

[lucas123]

meh... Vaporware.

Money grab attempt. Nothing more.

 

[Jessica Lares]

It looks like an iPod Touch/iPhone 2G.

And yeah, pure greed right there. Disgusting.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Android sure does look dull...

You've likely never tried it.


A money grab? If they had the name since 2000 how can it really be a money grab?

 

[decimortis]

Why not just let them sell the phone? What happens next should certainly remedy the situation.

D.

 

[iBug2]

lmao, this was a good one. : )

 

[xkmxkmxlmx]

Just let them have the name and call it the Apple phone, and watch it still get destroyed.

You've likely never tried it.


A money grab? If they had the name since 2000 how can it really be a money grab?

Yeah, and 13 years later they decide to put out a phone

 

[90miles]

Funny thing is this thing will probably sell more units than the iPhone since you have to pay 1200 dollars to get an out-of-contract iPhone.

 

[GoldenJoe]

Android manufacturers copying Apple? Unheard of.

 

[Drag'nGT]

Android sure does look dull...

Ooo! Ooo!
It's got widgets!

 

[nuckinfutz]

Apple

Just contact a corrupt Brazilian Government official and have this deal with the old school way.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Just let them have the name and call it the Apple phone, and watch it still get destroyed.



Yeah, and 13 years later they decide to put out a phone

Whatever. Fanboys will see it only as a money grab. I see it as opportunistic.

 

[90miles]

Whatever. Fanboys will see it only as a money grab. I see it as opportunistic.

The phone only came-out now because of a giant reorganization that took place on the company to avoid bankruptcy, so not a money grab, they were once a big brand in Brazil that could compete with Sony and other TV brands.

 

[penguintheft]

A money grab? If they had the name since 2000 how can it really be a money grab?

Because by using the name now they are getting Apple's attention and banking on one of two things:
Either Apple will pay them off, or;
Buyers will be confused and get this iPhone instead of the one they intended.

 

[GoCubsGo]

The phone only came-out now because of a giant reorganization that took place on the company to avoid bankruptcy, so not a money grab, they were once a big brand in Brazil that could compete with Sony and other TV brands.

Try to tell these guys that.

 

[domesposito]

I wonder if there's something wrong/illegal with them exploiting Android in this situation. I mean at least with the iPad trademark in China the product was its own. This time a company is exploiting Android along with a phone just to use the name.

Do you really think they've been developing an "IPHONE" since 2000 ... probably not. Sure they are rightful owners of the name, but they just got lucky by securing a trademark and hitting a jackpot 12 years later. Now they want to get everyone worked up. I just wonder if Google will have something to say here.

 

[ALCRON]

Their logo looked more like an @ symbol at first.

 

[90miles]

Because by using the name now they are getting Apple's attention and banking on one of two things:
Either Apple will pay them off, or;
Buyers will be confused and get this iPhone instead of the one they intended.

Buyers will get confused? People tend to look at which device they are buying before they put their money on it.