IGB Launches IPHONE-branded Android Devices, Despite Apple’s Trademark Ownership

A Brazilian company, IGB Electronica SA, claims it owns the iPhone trademark, and it recently announced the launch of a new line of Android phones under the IPHONE brand Macrumors reports.

According to a Reuters report:

The first model will be called “Neo One,” IGB said in a securities filing. The company was formed this year after the restructuring of Gradiente Eletronica SA, which had applied for exclusive rights in Brazil to register its products under the name IPHONE in 2000.

inpiphone

While IGB Electronica claims it owns the iPhone trademark in Brazil, the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office has a different view (via Blog do iPhone). Fact is, the Brazilian company filed for the trademark in 2000, but Telesp Cellular was against it and filed a notice of opposition two years later, which was accepted by the Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office (NIPI).
gradienteiphone
Meanwhile, Apple filed its application with the Brazilian Patent Office back in 2006, and as the above image shows, is the rightful owner of the trademark. Furthermore, it seems IGB Electronics has the right to use the “G gradiente iphone” brand only, as Apple was careful to patent both “IPHONE” and “iPhone” brands.

For Apple, Brazil is a country of intense interest — the next target after China, as Tim Cook put it — and it seems they have already started manufacturing the iPhone and iPad mini(?) in Foxconn’s Brazilian plant.

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