Tim Cook Confirms Apple Will Make Global Fund Donations From Sales of Red iPhone 7 in China

[MacRumors]

With the news earlier today that Apple has ditched the PRODUCT(RED) branding for the red iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in China, MacRumors reached out to CEO Tim Cook to find out if any of the proceeds on sales in the country would still be donated to charity in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

MacRumors' question: We noticed the (PRODUCT)RED branding is missing from the new red iPhone 7 on the China Apple website. Will you be donating any of the proceeds from the phone's China sales to the HIV/AIDs cause anyway?

Tim Cook's response: We donate to the Global Fund on every iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus we sell in every country in the world.

Since the omission of the branding came to light, there's been some speculation that recent changes in Chinese law prevent not-for-profit organizations from being involved in commercial advertising. Whatever the truth of the matter, it appears Apple will be upholding its (PRODUCT)RED charitable donations commitment with or without said branding.

Apple's special edition red iPhone 7 models, due to be launched on Friday in more than 40 countries, are the first iPhones to join Apple's (PRODUCT)RED line-up. Apple said the new handset color was in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and the charity (RED), offering customers a way to contribute to the Global Fund and "bring the world a step closer to an AIDS-free generation".

In the same press release, (RED) CEO Deborah Dugan said Apple is the world's largest corporate donor to the fund, having contributed more than $130 million to the charity, which seeks to provide "testing, counseling, treatment and prevention programs with a specific focus on eliminating transmission of the virus from moms to their babies".

Other Apple products in the (PRODUCT)RED range that are available all year round include the full iPod line of products, Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker, the iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case, and a range of accessories for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

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: Tim Cook Confirms Apple Will Make Global Fund Donations From Sales of Red iPhone 7 in China

 

[applesith]

If they are giving the donation from China sales, then why did Apple choose to not market it as "product red" in China? He could have acknowledged that part of the question.

 

[decafjava]

Well at last there's that...

 

[Draeconis]

If he could confirm any sort of plan for new hardware while he's at it, that'd be swell.

 

[Brookzy]

If they are giving the donation from China sales, then why did Apple choose to not market it as "product red" in China? He could have acknowledged that part of the question.

Straight from the article:

Since the omission of the branding came to light, there's been some speculation that recent changes in Chinese law prevent not-for-profit organizations from being involved in commercial advertising.

 

[nfl46]

There it is! Case closed.

 

[BruiserB]

Just as I suspected in the last thread on this.....

Apparently they can't promote a charity in China, but that doesn't mean they can't still donate to it.

 

[Aldaris]

Sounds (from his response) like every iPhone sold whether (RED) or not has a donation attached.

 

[applesith]

Straight from the article:

Speculation. Tim could easily clear it up by saying that's the case.

 

[Telos101]

Speculation. Tim could easily clear it up by saying that's the case.

I can't think of any other reason why they'd not use the branding in China and use it everywhere else. What would be the point?

 

[RickInHouston]

Like their stock dividends, "We'll give you onnnnnne pennnnney for every phone we sell. You're welcome."

 

[bladerunner2000]

Pay your taxes, Apple.

This donation initiative is just another tax exemption. Not impressed.

 

[Naraxus]

Nice prepared boilerplate statement Cook.

 

[Mascots]

If they are giving the donation from China sales, then why did Apple choose to not market it as "product red" in China? He could have acknowledged that part of the question.

IIRC it has to do with law's within the country related to charity and the relation HIV has with sex.

 

[RogerWilco]

Bow to your Chinese overlords Mr. Cook!

 

[Brookzy]

Speculation. Tim could easily clear it up by saying that's the case.

You don't easily blame the Chinese. And he answered the exact question he was asked.

 

[Porco]

Q. How did Apple find the loophole that means they can still donate, just not promote the brand in China?
A. They have lawyers who are well-read.

 

[reden]

Lots of people upset here, sounds like there's a reason why they're not using Product (RED)

 

[teknikal90]

If they are giving the donation from China sales, then why did Apple choose to not market it as "product red" in China? He could have acknowledged that part of the question.

read the article dude
[doublepost=1490203620][/doublepost]

Pay your taxes, Apple.

This donation initiative is just another tax exemption. Not impressed.

that's pure speculation. companies don't get 1:1 tax incentive per dollar donated. that's not how it works.

 

[Spendlove]

Well done Apple. Bigger than politics.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

I stand corrected on my post in the other thread.

Good on Apple, bad on me.

 

[jasonklee]

that's pure speculation. companies don't get 1:1 tax incentive per dollar donated. that's not how it works.

Think of the lives lost and those currently afflicted by this calamitous disease. Think of those dedicated to laboring to fight back against this malady of human ruin and damnation. Think of those who give even the smallest contribution to helping improve some complete stranger's life.

Then think of MacRumors. Apparently, some people's distaste for Tim Cook and all things Apple is such that even a charitable endeavor is sufficient to invoke their contempt, shaming and embarrassing themselves by besmirching the human core of charity. That is telling. I find it hard to see what Cook did wrong in his initiative and remarks, and all too easy to see what was quite right in his performance.

 

[milo]

Like their stock dividends, "We'll give you onnnnnne pennnnney for every phone we sell. You're welcome."

Apple has donated 130 million so far. You really think they have sold thirteen billion units?

This donation initiative is just another tax exemption. Not impressed.

Donate millions to medical research and people still complain. No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[aaronhead14]

Now if only you could use your powers to contact Tim Cook and ask him about the Mac Pro...

 

[dannyyankou]

Pay your taxes, Apple.

This donation initiative is just another tax exemption. Not impressed.

So either donate to charity and get tax exemptions, or pay more taxes and donate less to charity? Damned if you do, damned if you don't.