China

Proview sues Apple in US court over iPad trademark

Jake Smith ∙ February 23, 2012

Proview has been filing lawsuits aggressively against Apple in China over the past few weeks. The company claims that Apple is misusing their 'Ipad' trademark and has tried to get many cities to get the iPad banned. While a Shanghai court rejected a request for ban of the iPad today, many a few other ruled in Proview's favor to ban Apple's iPad from their city.

Tonight, the WSJ is reporting that Proview has now brought the fight to the US when it filed a lawsuit against Apple on February 17th, in Santa Clara, California...

Apple can continue to sell iPads in Shanghai

Guest Author ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

After their on-going legal hustle with Proview Technology, Asian Apple fans can rest assured that they'll still be able to buy the iPad in Shanghai, thanks to a ruling by the Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Court.

Just a few days ago we told you how Shenzhen based Proview were ready to negotiate with Apple over the alleged 'iPad' trademark infringement, however it now seems there will be no negotiating, not on Apple's behalf anyway...

Poisoned iPhone factory workers release petition calling for reform

Jake Smith ∙ Updated December 6, 2016

Apple has been in the media as of late for their manufacturing plant Foxconn. Many have profiled the plant as having terrible working conditions, but when we got an inside look last night, things didn't look as bad as previously depicted. The FLA is currently inside of Foxconn inspecting conditions and is poised to publish a report soon.

Today, at another China plant that manufacturers screens for the iPhone, two workers who claimed they were poisoned on the job have prompted a new petition...

Apple and China Mobile negotiating iPhone deal

Jake Smith ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

Last night, it was announced that the iPhone 4S will be available on China's third-largest carrier, China Telecom, on March 9th. Apple has been aggressively attacking China and has been reaping off its benefits. To benefit iPhone sales even more, Apple is continuing to pursue adding more carriers to support the iPhone in China.

Reuters reports China's largest carrier, China Mobile, has been "aggressively negotiating" a deal with Apple, but some technical hurdles are holding back a launch for now...

iPhone 4S landing on China Telecom March 9th

Jake Smith ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

At the end of January it was confirmed that China Telecom earned the necessary permits and approval from Apple to host the iPhone 4S on its network. Adding China Telecom as an iPhone 4S carrier, it takes the iPhone 4S exclusivity away from China Unicom.

Tonight, Jim Dalrymple from The Loop reports, and confirmed on China Telecom's website, the iPhone 4S will be landing on China Telecom March 9th...

Apple threatens to sue Proview over “damaging Apple’s reputation”

Jake Smith ∙ February 20, 2012

Apple and Proview have been in the news a lot lately for their ongoing legal battle over Proview's trademark of the term 'Ipad'. Many China cities have already banned the tablet, while Mainland China has yet to rule on the case. In an interesting turn of events, Apple asked Amazon China to remove the tablet from their store last week.

However this morning, a person familiar with the matter was able to get their hands on a letter Apple sent to Proview, threatening a lawsuit. In the letter, Apple claimed Proview was "damaging Apple's reputation."

Another local China court sets ban on the iPad over Proview trademark

Jake Smith ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

Apple has had quite the legal battle going throughout China, after a company named Proview claimed Apple is infringing on their trademark of the word 'Ipad'. Apple says their has already been a settlement over the trademark, but many China courts are banning the iPad throughout China.

The Associated Press reports that another local China court in Huizhou has banned the iPad...

Hong Kong judge backs Apple in iPad trademark dispute

Cody Lee ∙ February 16, 2012

By now, most of you have probably heard about Apple's ongoing trademark dispute with Proview. The monitor-maker believes that Apple is infringing on its iPad trademark, and has recently won an injunction against the company and its tablet in China.

Apple has responded to the allegations, claiming that it acquired the rights to use the iPad trademark from Proview years ago. It believes the company is trying to exploit loopholes in their agreement for monetary purposes. And judge Hon Poon agrees...

Chinese Customs tells Proview that banning Chinese iPad exports would be difficult

Oliver Haslam ∙ February 15, 2012

Apple's latest legal hiccup, this time with display maker Proview, looked set to escalate into all-out war when the plaintiff suggested a ban on the importing and exporting of iPads in China. The latest on the situation may serve to calm fears in Cupertino however, with the news that such a move may not be easy to execute according to Reuters.

A full ban on the iPad would obviously prove disastrous for Apple, with the device being manufactured in China. A ban on exporting the tablet would effectively shut iPad sales down across the globe.

Thankfully for us, though not so much for Proview, Chinese customs authorities are erring on the side of caution, suggesting that a ban may be too difficult to enforce due to Apple's huge popularity...

Apple tells Amazon China to pull the iPad off its online store

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated October 25, 2016

Apple has seemingly told Amazon China to pull the iPad from sale in the country, according to a report from MIC Gadget.

The news comes as Apple is in the midst of a trademark battle in the region, with display maker Proview claiming to own said trademark for use inside China. Interestingly, Proview also claims to have had no knowledge of Apple's latest move, stating that the company had not requested Apple remove the iPad from sale in Beijing, which is where Amazon is located.

Unsurprisingly, Apple is currently refusing to comment on the situation...

iPad facing all out ban in China due to trademark issues

Cody Lee ∙ February 14, 2012

Things are starting to look pretty bleak for Apple in China, at least in regards to its future iPad sales. The company recently lost a court battle with Proview, a computer monitor maker, who is claiming that it owns the iPad trademark in China.

Even though Apple is appealing the decision, retailers have already started removing iPads from their shelves. And according to a new report, Proview's lawyers are now trying to stop iPad shipments into the country as well...

Apple Confirms the Fair Labor Association has begun inspections of Foxconn

Sébastien Page ∙ February 14, 2012

After recently joining the Fair Labor Association, Apple confirmed that non-profit has already started inspection in Apple's suppliers factories, including Foxconn:

Apple® today announced that the Fair Labor Association will conduct special voluntary audits of Apple’s final assembly suppliers, including Foxconn factories in Shenzhen and Chengdu, China, at Apple’s request. A team of labor rights experts led by FLA president Auret van Heerden began the first inspections Monday morning at the facility in Shenzhen known as Foxconn City.

I can only praise Tim Cook for the positive impact he is trying to make.