Domain Name Wire has reported that Apple has filed a number of complaints with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) over seven adult sites employing the phrase iPhone within their domain names. It’s also been reported that Apple has filed a claim under ICANN’s Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy to attempt to gain control of iPhone4s.com and six other URLs. The sites, which were forwarding to mobile-formatted content, appear to be offline so may have already been taken down to avoid further action from Apple. iphonecamforce.com, iphonecam4s.com, iphoneporn4s.com, iphonesex4s.com, iphonexxxforce.com, iphone4s.com and porn4iphones.com were being operated by person or persons unknown – their WHOIS records are hidden by Moniker privacy service to protect the identity of the owner or owners. iPad-related URLs are also expected to draw heat from Apple’s lawyers, despite the hope of some within the adult industry that Apple’s stance on porn may soften with its change of CEO. However, it seems clear Apple will continue to protect its trademarks, regardless of where the infringement comes from; the adult industry or elsewhere.
As recently as last July – 13 months after the iPhone4 was released – Apple was battling to take control of iPhone4.com, and the US firm continue to claim the phrase ‘App Store’ as their own, despite others claiming the phrase has already passed into the language to mean any generic store for apps. In March, MiKandi was sent a Cease-and-Desist order for marketing the ‘world’s first mobile porn app store.’
