The day after the widely anticipated unveiling of the Apple Inc. new cell phone, Cisco system has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit. Cisco Systems Inc. has filed paperwork to support its claim that the iPhone is their trademark since the acquisition of Infogear in 2000. Infogear had owned the trademark since 1996.
Linksys, a division of Cisco, has been shipping its iPhone since last year and recently added VoIP technology to the line. Apple's new slogan for their iPhone is "we need to talk". Both sides had been talking until late Monday night but obviously talks broke off prior to the Apple showcase.
Apple Inc. has revitalized it business with an "i" line of products that include iMac, iPod, iTunes and now the iPhone. Apple spokeswoman Natelie Kerris dismissed Cisco's lawsuit as "silly". However there have been various negotiations for the legal transfer of the name over the years.
Cisco was shocked by the news that Apple CEO Steve Jobs went ahead with his announcement without a resolution between the two parties.