Apple Licenses Yet Another Cisco Trademark
Another iProduct, another trademark already owned by someone else.
The iPhone 4 was announced yesterday, along with the new iteration of iPhone OS. However, with iPhone OS running on the iPhone, the iPod touch and the iPad, calling it "iPhone OS" isn't exactly accuracte.
With that in mind, Apple changed the name of the operating system to iOS (the most recent version being iOS 4). If you're experiencing a little déjà vu, that might be because Cisco actually owns the trademark on the name IOS as an operating system.
Apple has run into this kind of trouble before. His Jobsness launched the iPad when the trademark for that name belonged to Fujitsu. The problem was solved pretty quickly, with Apple acquiring the trademark after a few weeks. That said, things haven't always been so simple. The company was sued for using the iPhone name by none other than Cisco. Cisco and Apple eventually settled, agreeing to both use the iPhone moniker for their respective products.
This time, Engadget reports that Apple decided to do things right and license the iOS name, which just happens to be the OS that runs on Cisco routers and switches.
According to a Cisco blog post:
"Cisco has agreed to license the iOS trademark to Apple for use as the name of Apple’s operating system for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The license is for use of the trademark only and not for any technology."
Oh, and in case you're wondering, the name for Apple's video calling software, FaceTime, was owned by another company too. FaceTime Communications sold it to Apple and plans to change its name completely.
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I guess Apple doesn't do anything original anymore.
At least they didn't try to steal it like last time.
Oh no not again.
Black Beard was the pirate of the high seas while Apple is the pirate of silicon valley.
Well that's a new one, Apple using something without stealing it first. Still not managing to come up with anything on their own though.
Nowadays, the only unreserved trademarks are yyxxxsssxx and zyuuuxccxxx.. I guess Apple will find some usage for those too...
ps. I can see those for a good price for my good friend Steve! ;D
sell...
Don't you think they'd have some over payed employee or at the least an intern making sure this stuff doesn't happen?
How about iSUX
What happened to the days of coming up with original names for things.
Nowadays, the only unreserved trademarks are yyxxxsssxx and zyuuuxccxxx.. I guess Apple will find some usage for those too...ps. I can see those for a good price for my good friend Steve! ;D
Well, you'd probably have better luck if you reserved iyyxxxsssxx and izyuuuxccxxx.
to be honest, I think it's a case of playing it safe this time after the iPad/IPAD issue.
Isn't the Apple software "eye-oh-ess" and the Ciso software "eye-oss"? Nobody will get confused because the majority of Apple customers won't have/need to deal with Cisco, and Cisco customers will know the difference?
Nowadays, the only unreserved trademarks are yyxxxsssxx and zyuuuxccxxx.. I guess Apple will find some usage for those too...ps. I can see those for a good price for my good friend Steve! ;D
Watch out for new products named iyyxxxsssxx and izyuuuxccxxx when they run out of other names to steal
I better trademark iHigh and iPr0n quick!
Lame. Can't even come up with their own unique new name.
Can we stop with the in article commentaries such as "His Jobsness" and just report the news?
I will sell you this one apple... FacePalm
"What happened to the days of coming up with original names for things."
Same thing that happened to coming up with original technologies and ideas I reckon..
I think you would want to sell that to HP, given their recent acquisition.
:~
I think you would want to sell that to HP, given their recent acquisition.:~
Well Done sir....
is it just me or is everyone submitting to apple... i could see some companies doing it but CISCO? i couldn't see them submitting. please tell me if im looking at this wrong, but that is what it seems like to me.
i doubt they are submitting a few bucks may have changed hands with more to come on some recurring basis.
"is it just me or is everyone submitting to apple... i could see some companies doing it but CISCO?"
You're suggesting Cisco say no? Cisco: "Sorry Steve, IOS is a household name in routers and we have big BIG plans for it, you're millions are no good here." LOL.
is it just me or is everyone submitting to apple... i could see some companies doing it but CISCO? i couldn't see them submitting. please tell me if im looking at this wrong, but that is what it seems like to me.
I'm sure Cisco got a nice amount of $$$$ to add to their balance sheet. Plus, it's not like every Betty & Joe on the street knows Cisco uses "iOS" in their networking gear.
Pretty smart move business wise if you ask me =)
"del flash"
Opps damn....
Apple invented the idea of using i(insert product name here) to name products.
iScream
Honestly, Apple has used iEverything for at least the past decade. So creating a product called iSomething just seems like a way to latch onto Apple's success more than anything.
I think iOSX would have been a better choice
. Cisco has been using the IOS term for there router/switch OSs for a very long time.
I will sell you this one apple... FacePalm
Sorry, HP is already working on that after buying Palm... =p
IOS (Internetwork Operating System) I deal with it everyday.
I guess Apple doesn't do anything original anymore.
I bet Apple came up with the name then did a search to see if it open, found out Cisco gad it but obviously liked it so much they did the right thing and paid Cisco to use it.