A legal battle in Brazil is intensifying as Brazilian company Gradiente asserts its claim to the “iPhone” trademark. The company argues that it registered the name years before Apple’s famous smartphone was launched. This ongoing dispute challenges Apple’s ownership of the iconic name and remains unresolved as the case awaits a final judgment.
Gradiente, a phone manufacturer based in Brazil, insists that it was the first to market with the “iPhone” name. CEO Eugênio Staub recently shared his frustration with public perception, particularly in Brazil, where many view the company’s claim as opportunistic. In an interview with Folha de S. Paulo, Staub defended his company’s position, stating that Gradiente had no intention of exploiting Apple’s success. He pointed out that despite being a Brazilian company, Gradiente’s claim is legitimate.
“People look at this story and say ‘Gradiente is a Brazilian company, so it must be a scam, right?'” Staub said. He emphasized that …