ChiefNode

The Cisco - Apple (Computer) Trademark dispute

Here comes Apple again, using their market power to push another competitor away. Why aren't they being sued by all the states for antitrust behavior?

Ok, there may be problems with Cisco's trademark for iPhone (perhaps they did not use it all the time, and thus lost rights) but Apple (Computer) is once again hoping that their market power wins in the marketplace for them, and the legal system will likely not have any bars to this particular action.

Reading Cisco's side of the story is enlightening. They wanted Apple to be more open. Share enough information that the products could be interoperable. But Apple walked away from the negotiation, chose to ignore what may be helpful to consumers, and maintain the Apple-only monopoloy.

What is so great about the name iPhone, anyway? Will the "i" in front of a product always link something to Apple? Competitors: I'd be filing "i"Radio, "i"VideoGameConsole" etc. One wonders if this will be Apple's only entry into the phone market. Unlike the iPod, where there are now large & small versions, at many price points, the iPhone is a multi-function device, at a (relatively) large price point. Will "mini" iPhone be introduced in the future, without the smart phone functions?

What will Apple do next?

Labels: Apple, iPhone

posted by Dana Bostrom @ 07:58