Apple Loses iPhone Trademark in Brazil

By Paul Thomson :: 12:06 PM

Government regulators in Brazil have ordered that Apple does not have rights to use the “iPhone” trademark in that country.

A Brazilian company, Gradiente Eletronica, registered that name there back in 2000, seven years before Apple debuted the popular smartphone handset. Apple is currently pursuing its options for an appeal to the decision.

The government’s ruling only applies to mobile phone handsets – Apple still retains exclusive rights to use the name “iPhone” for clothing, software applications and printed publications. The ruling stated that whole Apple can continue to sell iPhone-branded smartphones in Brazil, Gradiente Eletronica could still sue Apple for exclusivity in the country’s marketplace.

Gradiente Eletronica released its first product using the iPhone name in December 2012 – an Android handset called the “iPhone Neo One” that retails for about $300. The Neo One features the Android 2.3 operating system, 3G cellular connectivity, Wi-fi, and a 5MP camera.