We wrote earlier that Apple had difficulties claiming the name iPhone in Mexico, because the earlier trademark iFone, of a Mexican Internet company. Now it has gotten worse for Apple.
The name iPhone may not be used by Mexican telephone companies in their offers and ads. The name considered is too similar to that of the Mexican Internet company, that registered the name iFone in 2003.
This was decided by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. The owner of the iFone trademark can now start a civil action and claim enormous damages.
According to the lawyer of the Mexican company, they are entitled to at least 40% of the revenue that telecom companies in Mexico earned with the sale of Apple’s iPhone.