Apple and Cisco are apparently back on iPhone trademark negotiations. Cisco has posted a joint statement regarding the iPhone trademark.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. January 31, 2007 – Apple and Cisco have agreed to extend the time for Apple to respond to the lawsuit to allow for discussions between the companies with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability.
Apple and Cisco have been negotiating the use of iPhone trademark prior to MacWorld San Francisco 2007. Apple was reported to have abandoned negotiations the night before Steve Jobs Keynote. Cisco immediately filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Apple for the use of iPhone trademark following the introductions of Apple iPhone by Steve Jobs.
http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2007/corp_011007.html
According to many reports, apparently Apple is holding “iPhone” trademarks in most part of the world with the exceptions of The United States and Canada.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2145
http://10layers.com/2006/10/apple-filing-for-iphone-trademarks-worldwide/
http://news.com.com/2100-1036_3-6153865.html
According to some analyst Cisco might have lost their hold on “iPhone” trademark sometimes in 2006 for failing to use and defend the trademark.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=236
Apple and Cisco are working together again to avoid the messy lawsuits and to benefit both companies.