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Apple Ordered to Halt iPhone 6 Sales in Beijing Over Patent Infringement Ruling [Updated]
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Bingo. One of Tim Cook's Big Mistakes was that he put all of Apple's eggs into one basket.
I'm normally not a knee-jerk Tim Cook basher (there are already too many in MR that attack Tim Cook on everything), but I really think he screwed up big with this "China-or-Bust" policy, and this is a huge near-sighted mistake that goes way back to his COO tenure during Steve Jobs era.
Should Apple's response be: "ef you China!" And move all of their manufacturing to India?
Would be awesome. I don't really see a reason why a massive state-owned capitalist nation with widespread corruption and human rights abuses is the logical manufacturing hub of the world. There's so many other countries that could make tech gear if big companies invested in them.
Why not India? They are a tech-savvy democracy with a legal system based on English common law, and English is an official language. Apple could skip all the 'ancient Chinese secret' BS, have more legal/political certainty and pay people a similar wage (which is why they outsource stuff to China in the first place).
On the contrary, Samsung was found liable for infringement of Apple's design patents on a flat face, rounded edges, and a colorful grid of icons... even though at least one of those has been invalidated by the USPTO since... and has already paid hundreds of millions of dollars to Apple.
Even the Supreme Court refuses to overturn those infringements. (Although they've agreed to take up the question of award size.)
If a US court system can uphold infringement of such debatable design patents, then so can China.
Apple's policy of suing others over such fashion patents was short term smart, but was bound to have reciprocal consequences in the long term.
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"the company has already been through the appeal process in Beijing"
Translation - Apple gave Beijing some $$
Translation - Apple gave Beijing some $$
Hahahaha. You do realize that the products you want to tax are made for American companies, right? So your idea is to place an import tax on American companies to bring their products back into the country for sale. Well that's smart.
It has nothing to do with gonadal fortitude <-- I like that phrase, btw. No company is going to stand for it. They'd simply spend the money to get "right" elected officials in office. Protect our businesses. Tee hee. In case you missed it, our business are actively engaging China. You don't see the Apple's, MS, Google's, or Nike's, etc. stepping up to advocate anything like you're suggesting. Look at the infringement it the auto industry. It makes copying cell phones look like child's play. Yet they still sell their cars in China. Why? Dat money yo. The reward for American companies far outweigh the risk. 'Til that changes your idea is akin to peeing up a rope. Pointless.
So basically this is a non-story only getting traction because Friday is usually a slow news day.
Btw, the actual date of this Bejing order was May 19. Why are we just hearing about it now? Perhaps because this is also options expiration day and frequently on or around those days we get negative Apple news stories?
Btw, the actual date of this Bejing order was May 19. Why are we just hearing about it now? Perhaps because this is also options expiration day and frequently on or around those days we get negative Apple news stories?
Exactly. At one point 90% of the Windows installations there were pirated, and knockoffs of every major phone abound. For a local company to assert IP is a bit rich.
AND.... AND.... Rounded corners and a rear facing camera! Right?! Blatant ripoff. Apple just happened to make a rectangular phone with rounded corners and rear camera? Yeah right! You don't see anyone else doing that... oh wait....
You know, I'm starting to think that this is more about a corrupt government and closed, government-controlled market rather than a legitimate patent infringement.
Nah... that couldn't be....
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Well, obviously that's different. Samsung clearly stole the concept of a rectangular phone with rounded corners from Apple.
/sarcasm
I don't know much about Trudeau besides the fact that he's a big fan of importing potential terrorists to Canada, but the fact that Hillary isn't in prison (yet) blows my mind.
Don't think India would be a great place for manufacturing, alot of government bureaucracy etc. gets in the way of things there. But you're right, Apple should start moving their production offshore en masse (or at least make that clear to China that is what will happen if further trouble occurs - although I don't think the Chinese government will care).
Apple should also probably write off China as a market, cause whether this is because of protectionist stuff or not giving China's govt a backdoor into iOS / OS X their future is not bright in the "billion shoe lace market" (China would probably like them out of the country...they have govt friendly local tech that can supply the market).
The 6 is the lower priced but still looks like the current high priced iPhone in the Chinese market, so this is a knee-capping move by the Chinese government.
Apple should never put its eggs into any one basket.
Diversification is safer long-term.
Talking of copycat design. Especially interesting is paragraph 3.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/g...omplain-about-chinese-copy-range-rover-evoque
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/g...omplain-about-chinese-copy-range-rover-evoque
Well Apple, when you dance with the devil....
Perhaps Tim Cook needs to reconsider shipping all available jobs off to China. They don't play fair, never have, never will. The U.S. if far from perfect, but Communists will not allow foreign competition. They will continue stealing intellectual rights and sticking their middle finger at Apple because...they can.
Perhaps Tim Cook needs to reconsider shipping all available jobs off to China. They don't play fair, never have, never will. The U.S. if far from perfect, but Communists will not allow foreign competition. They will continue stealing intellectual rights and sticking their middle finger at Apple because...they can.
Apple writing off China as a market would be taking a stand based on principle, emotion... and stupidity. Primarily stupidity. Apple is a business, not someone's friend who has been unfairly wronged. No business is going to write off their 2nd largest market. Apple leaving that market would hurt Apple, not China. Some other company will move in to take over the manufacturing capacity.
agree with your comments. TC has spent over a billion dollars trying to win favor in China. Gone there himself and it looks like all for naught.
https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/17/a...ed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Techcrunch+(TechCrunch)
Apple has a lot of money. They are an American company, and get that with all the naming of products based on California natural landmarks. They should tell China that they are moving production of the iPhones to California if this ridiculous shake down isn't stopped. It would cost them a lot of money to make the move, but it would be the right thing to do. I would support it as an American stockholder.
That would increase Apple's costs and reduce Apple's sales, I don't see how that is a good decision.
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So much effort on making chinese teens happy, and look what happens.
I think this could hurt china more. If china continues to do things like this to foreign companies, I think it will change the minds of at least some think of investing in china. Protectionism is never good in any country. Apple should be looking to move their assembly plant elsewhere and make it clear to china that they will looks a significant employer if they keep up the antics.
I think this should give Tim significant reason to pause and rethink their china policy. If they keep investing only for something like this to happen, then it really is a bad investment.
Pretty simple actually:
China revenue - Cost - China hassles = Profit
Until that changes, they will continue to pursue business there.