iSue over iPhone: Turnabout is Fair Play

It was only a matter of time. In this case -- less than 24 hours after the announcement of Apple's new highly touted iPhone.

The problem is, as I pointed out over on David's blog awhile back, Cisco already has the trademark on that name. It has owned it since 2000. Now the lawyers are getting into it, and that is never good news for consumers.

The funny part of all of this is that Apple's trademark lawyers have been strutting their dominance over the marketplace concerning the use of "Pod" in other companies' marketing materials (including names) -- like a peacock seeking a mate. Apple, on the other hand, uses the entire "iPhone" name, not just part of it, and believes itself to be above reproach.

Given the latest resolution of the stock shenanigans involving Apple CEO Steve Jobs, I'm not so certain they're wrong... but expect to see either a settlement or delayed availability of Apple's yet-to-be-(re)named product.

With consumers chomping at the bit to shell out $499 for Apple's new convergence hardware, it's certainly in Apple's best interests to get this issue behind them, quickly. Leave it to lawyers to make life at least, if nothing else, a bit more entertaining -- and expensive.

Assuming Cisco's claim to the "iPhone" name is valid, Apple should pay them to use the name, or else they should use a different one. Apple, on the short end of many of these types of lawsuits, ought to know better. - Cam Beck