Cisco Systems has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop Apple from using the name iPhone.
In a statement released today, Cisco says it obtained the iPhone trademark in 2000 after completing the acquisition of Infogear, which sold iPhone-branded products for several years.
Linksys, a division of Cisco, has been shipping a new family of iPhone products since early last year, the company says. New products in the family were launched in December.
Mark Chandler, Cisco’s senior vice-president and general counsel, says the company entered into negotiations with Apple in good faith after Apple asked permission to use Cisco’s iPhone name.
Cisco is seeking an injunction to prevent Apple using the trademark.