04.04.2008
Apple and Aiphone Reach Agreement
In a short press release, Japan’s largest maker of intercoms, Aiphone Co., Ltd., announced a successful conclusion of its negotiations with computer producer Apple, Inc., about the trademarks “iPhone” and “Aiphone” in Japan. Talks about this issue had started in summer last year (we reported at the time). Aiphone Co., Ltd., has at least sixteen trademarks “Aiphone” in Japan, registered for goods in various classes. The name is pronounced the same way as Apple’s famous cellular phone.
Details of the agreement have not been announced so far. However, Aiphone Co., Ltd., claimed that a solution had been found which allowed both parties to use a trademark pronounced like “aiphone” in Japan.
