NEW YORK, Feb 22: Apple’s all-in-one cellphone, music player and digital organiser set the tech world buzzing anew on Thursday after the iPod maker agreed to joint custody of the “iPhone” trademark with Cisco Systems.

In a statement released late Wednesday, the Silicon Valley companies said they had settled their dispute out of court and were both “free to use the 'iPhone' trademark on their products throughout the world.”

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs sent waves through the telecoms industry last month when he unveiled the long-awaited iPhone. In the process he short-circuited trademark talks with Cisco, a US computer network giant.

Apple hopes its reputation for sleek design and simplicity can help it dominate the telephone handset market in the same way as the iPod has become the benchmark for portable music players.—AFP