North Korean Company Ignores Apple Trademarks and Launches Tablet Called 'Ryonghung iPad'

[MacRumors]

North Korea technology company Ryonghung has recently released a new tablet using the trademarked name of Apple's popular device, the iPad. The company's tablet is called the "Ryonghung iPad" and lets users read the news, work on documents, and perform other actions across more than 40 different pre-installed apps (via Gizmodo).

Tech specs for the Ryonghung iPad detail a device with 1GB RAM, an 8GB hard disk, a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, HDMI compatibility, a keyboard, and "network connection" capabilities. The advertising material details a few apps as well, relating to programs like a calculator, a health encyclopedia, a medical app, and an agricultural program.

As NK News pointed out, the heavy use of "iPad" in the device's marketing material violates Apple's trademarks.

A North Korean company is advertising a domestic tablet computer under the copyrighted name of one of Apple Inc.'s flagship products - the "iPad" - the DPRK's latest edition of Foreign Trade magazine shows. The term "iPad" is registered as an Apple trademark on its website and while there are occasions when the company's terms can be used, these generally need Apple's authorization.

A different version of the Ryonghung iPad first appeared in North Korea in 2013, although then it lacked the "iPad" moniker and was called the "Ryonghung-trademarked tablet computer" by the media. North Korean versions of Apple devices have been seen in the past, with a computer bearing resemblance to the iMac showing up at a trade fair in Pyongyang in 2015. Created by a company called Blue Sky, the computer was an all-in-one device with an aluminum finish, black bezels, and white keyboard and mouse accessories.

Similarly, in 2014 reports surfaced of North Korea's "Red Star" Linux operating system and its overall resemblance to OS X at the time. The Red Star OS included a similar dock, wallpapers, tool bar, and more visual similarities to Apple's MacBook and iMac computer operating system. However, the Ryonghung iPad appears to be the first device launched out of North Korea that directly uses Apple branding.

Apple was asked if it would enter a trademark dispute with the North Korea-based company over the iPad brand, but a representative of the Cupertino company has yet to respond.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: North Korean Company Ignores Apple Trademarks and Launches Tablet Called 'Ryonghung iPad'

 

[Appleaker]

I don't think anything will come of this as Apple likely haven't registered 'iPad' as a trademark in North Korea.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Lol. Seems legit.

 

[ibookg409]

Its creating buzz.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I was thinking of doing a facepalm, but it seems to be too much to do for this one, however, it's best to vigorously protect your patents and trademarks, or else you'll lose them.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

Offers operating system stability! Take that Android!

 

[Glassed Silver]

I'm no legal expert, but I'd like to imagine that Apple has no valid trademark registered in North Korea and hence this does not infringe on anything as long as it's only marketed and distributed within North Korea, no?

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[retroneo]

I would doubt that Apple has registered "iPad" as a trade mark in North Korea, and probably wouldn't be allowed to under US law due to sanctions. No common law trade mark rights would exist for Apple either, since Apple does not sell the iPad in North Korea. Therefore the name "iPad" is most likely available for Ryonghung to use in North Korea.

Ryonghung would have to sell the device under a different name in other countries. Just like Apple has to use different names in some countries - like Apple's AirMac Express in Japan.

TLDR: The North Korean company isn't infringing on Apple's trade mark rights.

 

[Crosscreek]

Lol ...North Korea lives in their own alternate reality some where between regular reality and Trump reality.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I highly doubt Apple has any right to protect the name in NK.

Unless this is a leak of the new, revolutionary iPad pro that will be announced at WWDC.

 

[dannyyankou]

Maybe they don't know about Apple's iPad because google is banned in North Korea, lol.

 

[keysofanxiety]

What a stupid and pointless thing to do. I can't think of why they would do it. Maybe a desperate attempt to sell the junk they produce.

Dude most people in NK don't even know what an iPad is and likely haven't even heard of Apple.

 

[DrumApple]

If they're willing to violate international agreements, I really don't think they give a piss about violating trademarks! Just like their missiles, I'm sure this piece of plastic doesn't even have an ON button.

 

[macduke]

Can't North Korea pretty much do whatever they want because they don't follow international law anyway? Apple could go after them wherever it's sold if they have a trademark in that country, but not in North Korea itself. Is it sold in China or something? Can't think of any other trade partner, and people within the country could never afford something like this.

 

[sulpfiction]

They ignore us when it comes to testing nuclear weapons. A little trademark infringement doesn't even get a second look.

 

[Appleaker]

Dude most people in NK don't even know what an iPad is and likely haven't even heard of Apple.

Oh didn't realise it was in North Korea, that makes more sense.

 

[nia820]

Too bad majority of north Koreans are too poor,hungry and oppressed to buy one of these.

 

[Gasu E.]

Lol ...North Korea lives in their own alternate reality some where between regular reality and Trump reality.

I don't think the word "between" applies here. Mathematically speaking, those alternate realities are what are known as "non-metric spaces". One of the ones you mention is well-known for having a non-continuous function that only has a finite number of discrete values: such as "Yuge" and "Worst Ever".

 

[macduke]

I don't think the word "between" applies here. Mathematically speaking, those alternate realities are what are known as "non-metric spaces". One of the ones you mention is well-known for having a non-continuous function that only has a finite number of discrete values: such as "Yuge" and "Worst Ever".

I think I love you.

 

[Defthand]

...this does not infringe on anything as long as it's only marketed and distributed within North Korea, no?

Glassed Silver:mac

I suspect you’re right. Except the article says “...the Ryonghung iPad appears to be the first device launched out of North Korea that directly uses Apple branding."

 

[konqerror]

I'm no legal expert, but I'd like to imagine that Apple has no valid trademark registered in North Korea and hence this does not infringe on anything as long as it's only marketed and distributed within North Korea, no?

Glassed Silver:mac

It was the same way with the Soviet Union. For much of its existence they didn't conform to Western copyright, trademark, and patent treaties, so there was no obligation to recognize theirs.

 

[ibookg409]

Dude most people in NK don't even know what an iPad is and likely haven't even heard of Apple.

They were told that an iPad was created by their god Kim Jun Il for the enjoyment of his beloved people, probably.

 

[keysofanxiety]

They were told that an iPad was created by their god Kim Jun Il for the enjoyment of his beloved people, probably.

"This new version is thinner and lighter!"

Talking about the iPad, of course. The new version of their Dear Leader is fatter and angrier.

 

[ibookg409]

"This new version is thinner and lighter!"

Talking about the iPad, of course. The new version of their Dear Leader is fatter and angrier.

It's made from and aluminum-kim chi alloy.
[doublepost=1496162050][/doublepost]Maybe they will get a bald North Korean with a British accent to perform in the promos.

 

[jerry16]

May be a good alternative for all those on MR that love to constantly complain about the real iPad!