Chinese 'iPad' trademark owner looking to block sales of Apple's iPad globally
Proview International Holdings Ltd. lawyer Roger Xie told Bloomberg on Tuesday that his company has been unable to reach an agreement with Apple over the iPad trademark. The company makes computer displays and is based out of Hong Kong.
It has now asked China's customs bureau to block both the importation and exportation of the iPad. For its part, Apple has argued that it bought the rights to Proview's iPad trademark in China, as well as nine other countries. A spokeswoman said Proview "refuses to honor" their existing agreement with Apple.
The filing comes soon after reports that Chinese authorities began seizing iPad 2 units in at least one city. The local Administration of Industry and Commerce in Shijiazhuang in the norther province of Hebei reportedly confiscated 45 iPad units from resellers over two days, due to claims of trademark infringement from Proview.
While just 45 iPads were seized in that incident, there have been no other reports of Apple's touchscreen tablet being removed from the market in China because of the Proview suit. But with the trademark holder's latest filing, the effect could be felt well beyond China.
If Proview wins and exportation of the iPad were to be blocked from China, it could result in a global stoppage of sales, as all iPad units are currently built in China. Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn is looking to assemble iPads in Brazil, but as of late January production had not yet begun there.
205 Comments
Dear China,
We have 100 billion dollars. We'll just stop selling all of our products to you and move all our manufacturing to Taiwan. You know, the place you pretend doesn't exist.
Sincerely,
Apple.
Dear Apple,
We will stop buying American debt and destroy your economy. Don't forget that we have you by the short curlies.
Sincerely.
China
Apparently Proview wants to leverage as much money as they can from Apple on this. This will be a good test to see what kind of gamesmanship Apple and their supporting staff in China are capable of in dealing with this company. Taking it to court is no sure thing, and while the Beijing AIC has been dragging their feet, the Chinese Trademark Office may take a dim view of any "laowei" heavy-handness in return.
I expect this will resolve it self in a month or so.
For its part, Apple has argued that it bought the rights to Proview's iPad trademark in China, as well as nine other countries. A spokeswoman said Proview "refuses to honor" their existing agreement with Apple.
So Proview sells the rights to the name, probably thinks that it didn't negotiate for enough money the first time around and now they "refuse to honor" the agreement. China isn't becoming more capitalistic, they're becoming more like organized crime.
Dear China,
we'll just default on our debt and destroy your economy, MAD still exists, but it's economy-based now!