Cisco Systems has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Apple Inc, seeking to prevent Apple from infringing upon and deliberately copying and using Cisco's registered iPhone trademark. Last week saw the long anticipated launch of Apple’s combination mobile phone/iPod/wireless Internet terminal which it styles iPhone (click).

Cisco says it obtained the iPhone trademark in 2000 after completing the acquisition of Infogear, which previously owned the mark and sold iPhone products for several years. Infogear's original filing for the trademark apparently dates to 20 March, 1996. Linksys, a division of Cisco, has been shipping a new family of iPhone products since early last year. On 18 December, 2006 Linksys expanded the iPhone® family with additional products.

“Cisco entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple repeatedly asked permission to use Cisco's iPhone name,” comments Mark Chandler, senior vice president and general counsel, Cisco. “There is no doubt that Apple's new phone is very exciting, but they should not be using our trademark without our permission.”

“Today's iPhone is not tomorrow’s iPhone. The potential for convergence of the home phone, cell phone, work phone and PC is limitless, which is why it is so important for us to protect our brand,” adds Chandler.

With its lawsuit, Cisco is seeking injunctive relief to prevent Apple from copying Cisco's iPhone trademark.

And in what might be another blow for Apple, or at least for Steve Jobs, it is reported that federal authorities are investigating back-dated share options awarded to the chief executive. Probes into the award of back-dated options to other executives have been making the headlines since last year.
John Williamson