Rio de Janeiro: Apple has filed a challenge with Brazil’s INPI trademark and patent office in a bid to secure the right to sell smartphones with the iPhone name in the giant South American country.
In a ruling published in its official gazette, INPI rejected Apple’s petition to register the iPhone name for its emblematic handset.
The decision, however, allows Apple to use that trademark for products other than mobile phones, an INPI spokesperson told EFE. The office said the trademark rights belong to Brazilian consumer electronics firm IGB Eletronica, formerly known as Gradiente, which filed its request to use the “iphone” brand name in Brazil in 2000, seven years before Apple did so upon launching its smartphone.
INPI said in its decision that IGB filed its application first and received approval Jan 2, 2008.
The company, which manufactures cellphones and other devices under the Gradiente brand name, began selling its “iphone” line of smartphones last December.
The Brazilian “iphone” uses the Android operating system, which is made by Apple rival Google.
In its petition, Apple argued that Gradiente’s rights had expired because it failed to make use of the trademark in the five years after receiving approval. The INPI spokesperson said that to avoid losing its trademark rights IGB must show within 60 days that it made use of the trademark between January 2008 and January 2013.
Etisalat in talks over $8bn loan
LONDON: Abu Dhabi telecom Etisalat is talking to banks about a syndicated loan of up to $8bn to finance a bid for Vivendi’s 53 percent stake in Maroc Telecom, banking sources said yesterday.
An $8bn acquisition loan would be the largest Gulf merger and acquisition loan in six years. Etisalat has asked banks to bid for the roles of M&A and financing adviser, one banker said.
Vivendi is under pressure from shareholders to bolster its flagging share price and from rating agencies to reduce its debt, which stands at ¤15.7bn.
Agencies
