This is not over…..
Cisco has reportedly granted Apple another extension to settle the iPhone (News - Alert) trademark dispute. Under an agreement reached late last week, the companies will settle the legal scuffle on or before Feb. 21, 2007. Cisco’s claims its decision to give Apple an extension in answering the lawsuit reflects its commitment in reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial to the two companies. This was the second time the negotiations were extended. Apple is expected to offer Cisco a settlement - or challenge the lawsuit in court - on or before Feb. 21.

Cisco spokesman John Noh said in a statement on Friday that negotiations were still ongoing.

“Cisco and Apple are still working on an agreement toward trademark usage and interoperability,” he said.

Mark Chandler, senior vice president of Cisco, said the lawsuit is simply about protecting the company’s trademark and preventing other companies from using it without their permission. He said he was disappointed and surprised when Apple unveiled its new device using Cisco’s trademarked name.

“We genuinely believed that we were going to be able to reach an agreement and Apple’s communications with us suggested they supported that goal,” he said. “We negotiated in good faith with every intention to reach a reasonable agreement with Apple by which we would share the iPhone brand.”

Watch for more as this evolves….
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