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iPhone secrecy bites Apple in the back
Apple on Monday paid the price for its secretive ways when Cisco subsidiary Linksys launched an iPhone.
The iPhone, of course, is that name that bloggers and media have been using for a product that Apple is rumored to be launching. Although rumor has it that Apple has assigned contractors to manufacture the device, its name is shrouded in the level of secrecy that normally surrounds Apple launches.
Either way, Linksys is the big winner.
If (and that's a big if) Apple has a different name for its mobile phone, Linksys today received a ton of free publicity.
But if the models that believed to be rolling of the conveyer belts in China right now are indeed labeled iPhone, Apple has a major trademark battle on its hands.
For Apple to claim ownership of the iPhone trademark, it would need to show that is has used the term over a period of time. Apple's rigid secrecy record prevents the firm from making any such claim. The company may have owned iphone.org since 1999, but never put the domain to any use.
Obsessive secrecy can have consequences.
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What are you talking about? What price did Apple pay? If Linksys received publicity for the iPhone because of the rumors, what did that cost Apple?
Why do you think Apple would've named an iPod with cell phone capabilities an iPhone? Do you have any evidence? Why would it not simply be a variation on the iPod xyz name, which has great consumer popularity and awareness as a mobile device? And don't you think Apple could've looked up trademark information before naming their product (if there is one)? And since I'm absolutely certain they didn't name the product iPhone, what has it or will it cost Apple?
This has to go down as one of the dumbest posts ever.
Posted by: mark | December 18, 2006 8:30 PM
Linksys iphones require minimum systems windows 2000 or xp. No mention of Macintosh support!
Posted by: Benton | December 18, 2006 9:28 PM
I think apple is the only beneficiary in this situation. Apple move quickly doing a massive campaign with the iphone official launch.
Posted by: iphone-cmnt | January 19, 2007 9:07 PM