North American stocks look set to open lower Thursday, with the technology sector in focus after Cisco Systems said it’s suing Apple in a trademark dispute over its new iPhone device.

Cisco’s suit raises the possibility that Apple could be compelled to drop the iPhone name unless the two companies reach a settlement. The suit seeks an injunction that would prevent Apple from using the word.

In earnings’s news, Genentech reported a 75% increase in fourth-quarter net income and provided a better-than-expected 2007 earnings outlook, thanks to strong sales of its new eye drug as well as additional uses for two core cancer drugs.

In M&A news, CanWest Global Communications Corp. has paired up with a Goldman Sachs Capital to acquire Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. in a $2.3 billion deal that will eventually bring many of Canada’s most-watched specialty television channels under one roof. The deal, which must meet CRTC approval,

Crude-oil prices edged back below US$54 a barrel, adding to a sharp fall on Wednesday that came after a government report showed supplies of distillates and gasoline rose for a fourth week in a row.

The Canadian dollar opened at US85.02¢, unchanged.

Overseas, the Bank of England lifted its key interest rate to 5.25% from 5%, citing strength in the services sector, a buoyant housing market and inflation running at a 2.7% rate.

The European Central Bank held its key interest rate steady.

European shares advanced at midday, helped by gains in the mining and tech sectors. The U.K. FTSE 100 rose recently by 0.5%.

Most Asian-Pacific shares closed lower, with Japan’s Nikkei Index off 0.6% at 16838.

Toronto stocks fell marginally Wednesday, weighed down by the energy and financials sector, and offsetting a strong session in materials, despite falling bullion prices, and in the information technology group.

The S&P/TSX composite index fell 10.44 points, or 0.08%, to 12,457.55.

Eight of the 10 TSX main sub-groups were up, but energy index fell 1.27%.

The information technology group surged 1.71%. Research in Motion Inc. gained $4.86, or 3.16%, to $158.87 after falling $12.82 in yesterday’s session on news Apple Computer was releasing a cellular phone that could be seen as a competitor to RIM’s BlackBerry.

The S&P TSX Venture composite index lost 33.46 ponts, or 1.20%, to 12,442.16.

In New York, markets moved higher on lower energy costs.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 25.56 points, or 0.21%, to 12,442.16, the Nasdaq composite index rose 15.50, or 0.63%, to 2,459.33, and the S&P500 lifted 2.74, or 0.19%, to 1,414.85.