Apple loses right to iPhone brand in Brazil

US technology giant Apple lost the right to use the iPhone brand in Brazil on Tuesday, according to the country's National Industrial Property Institute (INPI).

By:IANS
| Updated on: Feb 07 2013, 11:55 IST

US technology giant Apple lost the right to use the iPhone brand in Brazil on Tuesday, according to the country's National Industrial Property Institute (INPI).


The INPI, which oversees patents in Brazil, ruled that the brand belongs to Brazil's Gradiente, an electronics company that had registered the name in 2000, seven years before Apple launched its now world-famous smartphone, reported Xinhua.

You may be interested in

MobilesTablets Laptops
28% OFF
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G
  • Green
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 256 GB Storage
Google Pixel 8 Pro
  • Obsidian
  • 12 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage
Vivo X100 Pro 5G
  • Asteroid Black
  • 16 GB RAM
  • 512 GB Storage
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
  • Black
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 128 GB Storage

Apple applied to use the name in Brazil in 2007, when Gradiente had yet to launch any products of its own under the name, due to poor financial health.

Also read
Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here.

But just as its patent on the name was about to expire, Gradiente unveiled in December 2012 its iPhone, which costs about a third of the price of Apple's latest model.

The institute said its decision will be officially published February 13 in its Intellectual Property magazine.

Neither Gradiente nor Apple have commented on the decision, which Apple can still appeal, unless it comes to an agreement with Gradiente.

Apple faced a similar obstacle in the US, where Cisco Systems owned the rights to the iPhone brand and reached an agreement with Apple.

Additionally, Apple's iPad brand was owned by Proview Technology, which sold the rights to Apple for $60 million.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 06 Feb, 13:51 IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS