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Apple’s smartphones are known as “iPhones” and they are so popular that it won’t be wrong to say that iPhone is now a synonym of Apple. However, in an interesting case, the Cupertino based tech-giant has reportedly lost a legal case related to the trademark of “iPhone” against a Brazilian firm. Now how this will affect the company remains to be seen.
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Apple loses trademark battle for “iPhone” in Brazil
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Apple and a Brazilian company, IGB Eletrônica (formerly Gradiente), have been fighting in court over who owns the rights to the name “iPhone.” Here’s the story:
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Back in 2000, the Brazilian company applied to trademark “iPhone” in Brazil. But they didn’t get approval until 2008—by which time Apple had already launched its famous iPhone and made the name globally recognized.
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Despite Apple’s success, the Brazilian company didn’t back down. In 2012, they released their own line of smartphones under the “iPhone” name. This kicked off a long legal battle, with Apple repeatedly trying to cancel the Brazilian company’s trademark. Over the years, both sides have won and lost different cases, with no clear winner.
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Recently, Brazil’s Federal Court ruled 5-0 in favor of IGB Eletrônica, saying they still own the “iPhone” trademark—but only for the specific type of products they originally registered it for.
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Since Apple still holds exclusive rights to the iPhone name in most of the world, it’s unclear how this will play out. If higher courts side with the Brazilian company, things could get even messier.
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