FT:
Apple could face disruption to its iPad sales in China after a court rejected its claim to own the iPad trademark in the country and a rival sought to halt sales of the tablet device in two Chinese cities.
The developments are the latest in a long-running dispute between Apple and Proview Technology (Shenzhen), a struggling Taiwanese-owned company that registered trademarks for the name IPAD in many countries long before Apple conceived its smash hit tablet computer.
Uh oh.
I suspect the owners of said ‘struggling’ company will soon be enjoying a lucrative ‘retirement’.
It always amazes me—especially as a sinologist—that Chinese courts actually go through with these kinds of lawsuits, while many Chinese companies shit on trademarks and copyrights when it suits them.
But I agree with @Gregz0r1:disqus , this company’s c-level will probably enjoy a nice retirement after a deal with Apple.
Clever, these Chinese!
Clever, these Chinese!
Apple could change the name of its “tablet” worldwide to something else and still dominate the market.
Hell, they could even call it the iTampon.
“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;”
Apple is going to win in the end. Either by filing an appeal or a new suit claiming they were not told that Global didn’t mean China because the side of the company they were dealing with didn’t have the rights in China and simply winning the rights. Or they will lose over all but end up with no damages due to the bad faith issue and then the Chinese side of the company will offer to sell them the rights for a song because they need the cash and Apple will agree.
(and yes it seems pretty clear that that IP Application Development company was just a front name for Apple)