Cisco has given Apple more time to answer the lawsuit over the iPhone trademark, owned by Cisco but used freely by Apple, lawsuit notwithstanding.

The extention is to allow for discussions, "with the aim of reaching agreement on trademark rights and interoperability," says MarketWatch.

It'll be interesting to see what happen when Apple decides its time time to introduce the ?phone to Canada where 'iPhone' is owned, indisputably, by Comwave Telecom.

No doubt, earnest discussions are underway but judging by Steve 'iRule' Jobs' arrogant and cavalier treatment of Cisco, not to mention his own customers, lack of an agreement won't stop him from doing whatever he wants to do in Canada.

"The lawsuit requests that Apple be forced to choose another name for its upcoming phone, which is expected to reach the market in June," says MarketWatch.

'We said no'

Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless, "passed on the chance to be the exclusive distributor of the iPhone almost two years ago, balking at Apple's rich financial terms and other demands," says USA Today, going on:

"Among other things, Apple wanted a percentage of the monthly cellphone fees, say over how and where iPhones could be sold and control of the relationship with iPhone customers, said Jim Gerace, a Verizon Wireless vice president.

"We said no."

Thus did Cingular, now solely owned by AT&T, ended up with Apple.

"Cingular won't talk about the financial terms or say how long its iPhone exclusivity lasts, but two people with direct knowledge of the deal say it's a five-year contract," says the story. The exclusive is USA-only, leaving Apple free to market its iPhone globally."

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Also See:
lawsuit notwithstanding - Cisco iPhone vs Apple iPhone, January 11, 2007
MarketWatch - Cisco extends time for Apple to respond to iPhone lawsuit, February 1, 2007
owned, indisputably - Canada's iPhone, January 26, 2007
USA Today - Verizon rejected Apple iPhone deal, January 26, 2007