Apple Lost Exclusive Rights for iPhone Trademark in China

Apple has lost its exclusive rights for the iPhone trademark in China. While the Cupertino-based tech giant is still the only electronic products manufacturer that can use the name “iPhone” for its smartphones, a local company called Xintong Tiandi Technology (XTT) has been officially granted the rights to utilize the word “iPhone” for various leather goods.

XTT applied for the trademark in 2007 and was granted the rights in 2010, while Apple failed to do so even though the first attempt was made long before the launch of the iPhone - in 2002.

Apple first applied for the trademark in the electronic goods category in 2002 – some five years before the launch of the iPhone itself – but it was not granted at that time. Chinese company Xintong Tiandi Technology (XTT) then applied for the trademark in leather goods in 2007, and it was granted in 2010.

In 2012, Apple tried to defend its rights for the iPhone trademark, but failed. The same thing happened a couple of days ago, when the Beijing Municipal High People’s Court ruled against Apple.

[via 9to5Mac]