Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

iPhone trademark dispute drags on

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 | 02:45 PM ET

by Paul Jay, CBCNews.ca

Yesterday I mentioned Scrabble is now an application on Facebook, though not for Canadian users. It got me thinking about that most famous of 'not in Canada' products, the iPhone.

A couple of weeks back a couple of blogs – Electronista and iPhoneworld – were atwitter over the latest updates at the Canadian Trademark Database of the ongoing dispute between Apple and Toronto VoIP company Comwave.

Unfortunately, the trademark database is not exactly built with consumers in mind, and so reads in a language that is mostly impenetrable. In other words, the trademark application status changes are easy to misinterpret.

In particular, the blogs read the database's reference to a First Examiner's Report – with dates next to it in February and June – as a sign that Canadian Intellectual Property Office would be making a decision by June.

That, alas, is not the case, according to Genevieve Cote-Halverson, a spokesperson for CIPO. The dates in question (found in this trademark application, and a few others, searchable here) refer to the date the two parties were sent notifications regarding their claims (February) and the date Apple and Comwave have to reply (June), but Cote-Halverson said either party could ask for an extension and push the process another four months.

And the reports themselves are only the office's attempt to push each of these trademark applications aside until the main event is resolved. That dispute – application 1234665 – at last check had shown no signs of resolution.

Neither Apple or Comwave returned our call regarding the state of their dispute, but Cote-Halverson said oppositions to a trademark claim can take up to two years to resolve.

Which is not to say the two parties won't resolve the issue by June; just that as of right now, the evidence to support that theory isn't there.

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

This discussion is now Open. Submit your Comment.

Comments

applesucked

USA

My fellow Canadiens friends, you're welcome to buy iPhone in the USA without trademarks disputed. (it's called eBAY)

Posted April 17, 2008 07:04 PM

Hamish

I thought it was so funny to see this other third-party developer putting out a product called the "iFone". It was also a mobile device, but didn't quite cut it :p

Posted June 15, 2008 09:46 PM

andy

Comwave iPhone service meet
apple iPhone (Yup it can do VoIP too.)
Cisco iPhone (VoIP only)

Posted November 14, 2008 12:54 PM

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

Post a Comment

Disclaimer:

Note: By submitting your comments you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that due to the volume of e-mails we receive, not all comments will be published, and those that are published will not be edited. But all will be carefully read, considered and appreciated.

Note: Due to volume there will be a delay before your comment is processed. Your comment will go through even if you leave this page immediately afterwards.

Privacy Policy | Submissions Policy

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Doomed Chinese mine overcrowded: official Video
The coal mine in northern China where 104 people were killed in a gas explosion on Saturday had too many workers underground, a government official said.
Attacks on Afghan schools, students rise
Afghanistan teachers, students, educational personnel and schools were the targets of more than 1,100 violent attacks over a 2½ year period, forcing the closure of hundreds of schools across the country, a new report has found.
Iranian-Canadian journalist talks of prison ordeal Video
Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari says he was regularly beaten and threatened with execution while imprisoned in Iran for 118 days.
more »

Canada »

4 acquitted in Creba killing Video
Four men accused in the 2005 shooting death of 15-year-old Jane Creba in downtown Toronto were acquitted of manslaughter charges Monday.
Detainee transfers halted 3 times in 2009, feds say Video
Canada halted the transfer of detainees to Afghan prisons three times in 2009 over concerns of treatment of prisoners and access to facilities, officials in Ottawa said Monday.
Liberals propose restricting MPs' partisan flyers
The Liberals want the federal government to restrict how much partisan flyers MPs can send to constituents at taxpayers' expense.
more »

Politics »

Red Cross told late about prisoner transfers Video
Canadian officials delayed telling the Red Cross it had transferred prisoners to Afghan authorities, CBC News has learned, a situation that may have put detainees at greater risk of abuse.
Detainee transfers halted 3 times in 2009, feds say Video
Canada halted the transfer of detainees to Afghan prisons three times in 2009 over concerns of treatment of prisoners and access to facilities, officials in Ottawa said Monday.
Liberals propose restricting MPs' partisan flyers
The Liberals want the federal government to restrict how much partisan flyers MPs can send to constituents at taxpayers' expense.
more »

Health »

Housing first for mentally ill homeless Video
More than 1,300 homeless people across Canada will be provided housing as part of a massive four-year project to study the link between mental health and homelessness.
Experimental MS surgery draws Canadian interest
An experimental surgical treatment for multiple sclerosis is raising interest among Canadians.
Vioxx risks evident earlier, researchers say
The red flags about the pain reliever Vioxx were present at least three years before the drug was taken off the market, U.S. researchers say.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Rare artworks spark buzz for Canadian auction
A collection of museum-worthy artworks has drawn both buzz and record numbers of visitors to Heffel's this fall, as the auction house prepares for its annual fall sale of Canadian fine art.
Inuvialuit examine Smithsonian artifacts
A group of about 10 Inuvialuit people has returned from Washington, D.C., after examining 19th-century Northwest Territories artifacts at the Smithsonian Institute.
Thai film tops TIFF list of decade's best
A Thai arthouse film is the most respected movie of the decade, according to a poll of film curators, historians and festival programmers.
more »

Technology & Science »

Strange creatures found in deep, dark ocean
Ocean researchers have found 5,600 new species living deeper than 200 metres, below where sunlight can reach, including transparent sea cucumbers.
ISPs to monitor child porn under proposed bill Video
The federal Conservative government plans to introduce new legislation this week requiring internet service providers to take a more active role in reporting child pornography to police, CBC News has learned.
Skin germs aid in normal healing: researchers
U.S. researchers say bacteria that normally live on the skin actually help the body to heal itself by calming down overactive immune responses.
more »

Money »

Retail sales up 1% in September
Retail sales rose one per cent to $34.9 billion in September, the seventh increase in nine months.
GM asks EU for more restructuring cash
Weeks after killing a deal to sell its Europe-based Opel unit, GM has asked European governments to help pay $5 billion in restructuring costs to turn the division around.
Magna unit wins GM truck frame deal
A unit of Magna International Inc. has been chosen to supply frame assemblies for a new generation of full-size pickups and SUVs from General Motors.
more »

Consumer Life »

Quebecer's Facebook photo fight a cautionary tale
A technology expert says recent incidents involving Facebook postings should serve as a reminder that nothing is truly private on the internet.
Manitoba firm fined for misleading contests
A Manitoba firm that sold vacation time-shares has been fined $170,000 by the Competition Bureau for running misleading promotional contests.
Retail sales up 1% in September
Retail sales rose one per cent to $34.9 billion in September, the seventh increase in nine months.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

Habs deal Latendresse to Wild for Pouliot
The Montreal Canadiens traded Guillaume Latendresse to Minnesota for Benoit Pouliot on Tuesday.
Struggling Oilers search for answers
The Edmonton Oilers, in the midst of a 14-game slide, will attempt to turns things around Monday night at home against an improved Phoenix Coyotes outfit.
Senators look for 4th straight win
The Ottawa Senators have stayed near the top of the Northeast Division due in large part to a home-heavy schedule thus far.
more »

Diversions »

Oldest climber of Mt. Everest celebrates official recognition by Guinness World Records
Hugs, not harassment: Facebook groups slam day of violence against redheads
Tourism website includes Toronto museum addition on ugly buildings list
more »