I completely agree, but to me it just seems like a poor attempt by them to get something for nothing by Apple. If they really cared, they would have gone after this on day one, and they didn't.
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Chinese Customs Tells Proview That Ban of iPad Exports Would be Difficult
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I completely agree, but to me it just seems like a poor attempt by them to get something for nothing by Apple. If they really cared, they would have gone after this on day one, and they didn't.
Ofcourse they're not releasing a monitor called iPad outside of China, they don't own that name there.
Maybe they don't even call any monitors sold in China "iPad" either, but that's irrelevant. The only thing that matters is whether they own the name in China or not
they did... this same scenario has played out before
http://www.chinahearsay.com/apple-proview-problems-with-trademark-families/
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-15/proview-sazerac-mecca-cola-gm-intellectual-property.html
They were pushing to have the WORLD banned from buying Apple's products because of a local dispute in China, and the court case isn't even finished yet. The very notion is ludicrous.
Stupid move. Someone didn't think this through at proview.
Apple uses quite a bit of Foxconn's resources... I highly doubt that the Chinese government would just shut them down and face the contention of that labor force willingly. Furthermore, Foxconn has manufacturing facilities in other countries (like Thailand)... this lawsuit isn't there. Then there's also the issue of international trademark, etc -- if Proview is selling things overseas Apple could counter sue, regardless of the applicability of their current lawsuit.
Apple uses quite a bit of Foxconn's resources... I highly doubt that the Chinese government would just shut them down and face the contention of that labor force willingly. Furthermore, Foxconn has manufacturing facilities in other countries (like Thailand)... this lawsuit isn't there. Then there's also the issue of international trademark, etc -- if Proview is selling things overseas Apple could counter sue, regardless of the applicability of their current lawsuit.
Heh. It looks like Apple and Foxconn's bribes are bigger than Proview's.
Whatever works!
If that is a genuine report, that is some serious corruption going on there
I'm pretty sure that the early ruling that Proview's parent company did not have the rights to sell the "iPad" trademark rights held by the local subsidiary involved a payoff from Proview to a judge or a promise of a cut of the settlement with Apple. Apple just needs the higher-level government officials to step in and whip Proview back in line. This move to block exports was a desperate attempt to capitalize on that early ruling before they have to offer anything more to higher-up judges. Proview wants a quick settlement so they can payoff the judge and keep their share of the settlement.
This whole thing is extortion. When your parent company (also called "Proview") sells the rights to a trademark in multiple countries, but then the local subsidiary sues you for trademark infringement many years later after you start making billions off a product that uses that sold trademark then there is clearly foul play involved. Proview in China is just hoping that with Apple's bank account they will settle this to make it go away. But Apple knows that they generate jobs and tax revenue for China in a very big way. Once this case gets escalated, Proview won't be able to keep paying off the judges or the judges will get pressure from above.
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Heh. It looks like Apple and Foxconn's bribes are bigger than Proview's.
You actually don't need to make local bribes in a communist regime when you are generating millions in tax revenue and hundreds of thousands of jobs for the population. You just need the higher-up government officials to tell the judges how to rule. My guess is Proview bribed the lower-court judge to find in their favor or promised him a cut of the settlement.
The thing is, did proview ever release a product with the ipad name? I don't recall anything of the sort. Apple trademarked the apple name because that was what they wanted to call themselves. Fair enough, because they did in fact end up using that name.
Granted, this isn't really anybody's fault, as they apparently trademarked the name long before Apple released the ipad, nor could they have anticipated what a resounding success it would be.
However, it doesn't seem like proview is doing anything with the name. They simply saw an opportunity where they could sue for big bucks and are attempting to milk it for every cent it is worth. What exactly are they trying to defend against, again?
at least read the thread you are posting before saying such uneducated stuff. Christ, there is a picture of an iPad screen by Proview like 10 comments before you.
Corruption for the sake of the local economy happens EVERYWHERE. It's nothing to do with 'communist' china. See UK/Saudi Trade deals...
Yep, another glimmer of hope for the trolls and haters goes up in smoke. The teenagers over at c|net were having an orgy over this, salivating at the possibility of seeing Apple get nailed. Anyone with common sense could see tha this was an attempted shakedown. And by the way, there never was a ban order issued by Chinese courts, only a ruling that Proview has a case. Proview jumped the gun by attempting to implement a ban on their own.
Apple is probably dealing directly with government officials over this tempest in a teapot. Proview has nothing to do with it.
This guy must have ties to the communist party because he sure wants a lot for a 4 letter word. Maybe someone will come talk with him sometime in the night soon.
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Its a dead company from what I read else where. This is him trying to cash in on anything he can before he goes bankrupt.
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Its a dead company from what I read else where. This is him trying to cash in on anything he can before he goes bankrupt.
Here in America your level of justice is largely tied to your level of wealth. If you can't afford a good lawyer, and a team of experts and researchers to back them up, you probably won't be seeing the verdict you're looking for. From what I've read that's also the case in China.
Welcome back to reality Proview. It's nice here
Reality sucks! Just the graphics are damn realistic!
And a few Chinese cops taking advantage of the situation and getting early Christmas presents for the family by confiscating 45 iPads
1. I don't think the word "gentile" means what you think it means.
2. Huh? Company making wild demands, and Chinese customs telling them "Hold on, it's not that easy", is evidence of corruption and communism?
An important bit is having a case. Even if all of Proview's trademark claims are valid, they wouldn't have any case trying to stop exports to the USA and Europe, where they certainly don't have trademarks. Having a rubbish lawyer is obviously bad, but if you have no case, then the best lawyer in the world can't help you.
The Export yes. And that would be the disaster for Apple since there's no wear to move production ready right now. Then again it wouldn't probably go into effect for several months because Apple would appeal etc. And by the time it could go into effect, they could have moved the iPad to Brazil etc.
What the government is basically saying is that they are too lazy to block scalpers etc so they wouldn't be able to keep all iPads out even if Apple stops legit sales. And the government really doesn't want to have to try. So this is their CYA. Pity really because an import ban to China that was actually enforced would take care of a lot of the issues Apple has been having in Hong Kong etc. You can bet they won't be selling the iPad 3 in stores for a while after what happened over the iPhone 4s. So it would be awesome for them to know that their US and other stores won't be victims of these groups either
They should be dragged in. They are the ones that sold the rights in good faith and then recanted.
Talking about VISA, there's a VISA card issued by Bank of America and probably also Citibank, that would automatically doubles the warranty of every product you purchase with it. I just don't know if it would double your Apple Care coverage, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask, considering the new iPad is just around the corner.
Folks, folks, folks....
"Apple claims that it purchased the Chinese rights to the trademark several years ago, but the original owner Proview and Chinese courts have disagreed with that assertion. Apple's case is still pending with Chinese courts as it seeks to appeal earlier rulings."
That says it all. Let the courts/legalities/appeals process work through the disputes and soon there will be an answer. Very likely the answer will arrive by April.
"Apple claims that it purchased the Chinese rights to the trademark several years ago, but the original owner Proview and Chinese courts have disagreed with that assertion. Apple's case is still pending with Chinese courts as it seeks to appeal earlier rulings."
That says it all. Let the courts/legalities/appeals process work through the disputes and soon there will be an answer. Very likely the answer will arrive by April.