Ever since Apple unveiled the iPhone there has been a plethora of media buzz surrounding it. The device, which launches in June this year, is a multi-function device that acts as a phone, PDA, and MP3 player. It has Internet capabilities, which make checking your e-mail and RSS feeds simple. It supposedly runs a slimmed down version of Mac OS X.
The first among many issues Apple has ran into since they announced the iPhone was with Cisco. Cisco claimed that they had trademarked the term "iPhone" prior to Apple releasing it as their name for their new gadget. Cisco said that they were in the works of working out a deal with Apple, but they were unaware that Apple was going to go ahead and use the term before they reached a settlement that was agreeable for both of the companies. They are currently trying to settle the dispute out of the courts.
Another, more recent, dispute is with LG. LG is releasing their new phone the LG Prada (KE850). When you first look at the screenshots for it you're like, "that looks a lot like the Apple iPhone." The resemblance is unreal. The head of LG Mobile Headset R&D Center have recently realized the resemblance and the CEO of LG, Woo-Young Kwak has reportedly called Apple's iPhone an outright "copycat." LG's phone even recently won the International Forum Design Product Design Award. When put side-by-side they both have a similar shape, interface, and both are touch screen.
Perhaps Steve Jobs will have a response to this soon, he seems to be responding promptly to DRM concerns.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/lg-officially-calling-apples-iphone-a-copycat
http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/01/11/iphone-and-lg-ke850-separated-at-birth