Proview's $60M iPad payout called a 'thuggish' win over Apple
The $60 million settlement paid by Apple for use of the "iPad" name has been a hot topic in China, with a number of users online calling Proview's tactics a "thuggish" way to earn a payout.
China's widespread online reaction to the Proview settlement was captured on Monday by The Wall Street Journal, which noted the word "thug" was a common word choice among popular social networking sites in China like Sina Weibo. "Intellectual property awareness is something to be supported, but Proview is definitely guilty of playing the thug," user "Gosipier" wrote.
Other users joked that Proview's $60 million settlement could prompt others to begin registering various Apple-like "iProduct" names in hopes of getting their own eventual settlement. But Proview made its own product called the "iPAD," or Internet Personal Access Device," beginning in the late '90s.
Many users expressed excitement over the settlement, hoping that the resolution of the dispute between Apple and Proview could lead to the release of the latest third-generation iPad in China. The new iPad was granted regulatory approval by the government in China in late March, but it has yet to go on sale.
China has become a very important part of Apple's business in recent years, as the nation now leads the world in iOS device activations. Last year, the region was the second-largest market for Apple, behind only the U.S.
The Guangdong High People's Court announced that Apple had reached an agreement with Proview to pay $60 million for the rights to the Chinese iPad trademark on Sunday. Earlier reports suggested Proview was seeking $400 million for the iPad trademark, and the company was said to have turned down a $16 million settlement offer from Apple.
China's widespread online reaction to the Proview settlement was captured on Monday by The Wall Street Journal, which noted the word "thug" was a common word choice among popular social networking sites in China like Sina Weibo. "Intellectual property awareness is something to be supported, but Proview is definitely guilty of playing the thug," user "Gosipier" wrote.
Other users joked that Proview's $60 million settlement could prompt others to begin registering various Apple-like "iProduct" names in hopes of getting their own eventual settlement. But Proview made its own product called the "iPAD," or Internet Personal Access Device," beginning in the late '90s.
Many users expressed excitement over the settlement, hoping that the resolution of the dispute between Apple and Proview could lead to the release of the latest third-generation iPad in China. The new iPad was granted regulatory approval by the government in China in late March, but it has yet to go on sale.
China has become a very important part of Apple's business in recent years, as the nation now leads the world in iOS device activations. Last year, the region was the second-largest market for Apple, behind only the U.S.
The Guangdong High People's Court announced that Apple had reached an agreement with Proview to pay $60 million for the rights to the Chinese iPad trademark on Sunday. Earlier reports suggested Proview was seeking $400 million for the iPad trademark, and the company was said to have turned down a $16 million settlement offer from Apple.
Comments
"But Proview made its own product called the "iPAD," or Internet Personal Access Device," beginning in the late '90s"... Yeah, and have you seen this product? It's a lame clone of the first, translucent iMacs! This should have been reason enough for Proview to forfeit any rights to the IPAD name, as well as to pay Apple retroactive damages for their blatant samsung-style copying...
I'm actually a little surprised about the general response of the Chinese. They're usually known as a quite conservative culture, so I assumed (wrongly) that they'd back Proview because of the high values they have to their own companies and such. Nice to hear that they also see Proview as some sort of patent-esk thug
On the other hand, I'm also equally as surprised that Apple didn't backfired Proview's claim by stating that Proview's iPAD was a direct copy of the original translusent iMac... and then gétting 60mln dollars instead of having to pay it. Oh well, a quick finish might be good in this case. I bet Apple's busy enough fighting Motorola and Samsung at this moment
Proview is not getting the 60 Million. It's creditors are finally going to get paid, courtesy Apple. Then Proview can dissolve as the has been company that failed that it was/is!
I wonder if M$ is a secret partner in Proview ??????
So much effort - time and money, for such a lousy product name.
As for this payout, Apple could have paid that much in legal costs to keep up the fight. Plus the risk that Proview would find a way to get exports banned, cutting off world supplies isn't worth it. Apple will remake this money within the week on world iPad sales.
I hope Apple delays payment so long it doesn't matter.
The word is about $400 is needed to completely pay off their creditors. I firmly believe they have lobbying the courts to get a hefty payout from Apple, yet one that would end it quickly. I expect Proview to be liquidated in record time with Proview never being able to touch that money to "rebuild" their business.
Quote:
Originally Posted by flabber
I'm actually a little surprised about the general response of the Chinese. They're usually known as a quite conservative culture, so I assumed (wrongly) that they'd back Proview because of the high values they have to their own companies and such. Nice to hear that they also see Proview as some sort of patent-esk thug
I wonder how much Proview contributes to the Chinese economy, as opposed to Apple? This was always going to go Apple's way, $60m is a rounding error on their monthly PnL. it won't save Proview, just give their creditors a little more return, which is what this was all about.
It's clearly noted that Proview is guilt of playing the thug. There was not calling all of China names. There was no jacking of the thread to say how all of China is bunch of lowlife pieces of shit. When you group all the people from a nation into a single category so you can disparage them you are being a bigot.
Sure it was thuggish. And Apple's ploy to grab the iPad name by setting up a phony company was sleazy. Big deal. This is business, not a campfire sing-along. If I were Proview I would have held Apple's feet to the fire for this too.
Anyone who says they wouldn't do the same if they were Proview's CEO is kidding themselves.
Nice, calling names, lowlife pieces of shit... Funny, I don't think I did that but seems like you're doing that here. Nice strawman.
So Proview is the thug. One Proview? No courts? No government officials? Pity the poor courts and government, bullied by thuggish Proview.
I did not make the whole of China to be the enemy, as I mentioned there are things going on there that are concerning. Things Chinese citizens are concerned of too ~ just read one of the non-state-sponsored media. Nor is Proview the only thug in the scheme of things here.
Face it. People would rather be politically correct nowadays than face the actual "shit" out there in the real world outside their borders.
As for jacking threads? I guess it would be better calling each other names and Android users weirdos and losers. Because that's so substantial.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curmudgeon
So much effort - time and money, for such a lousy product name.
The value of a product name is measured in dollars. How lousy is it, exactly?
Quote:
Originally Posted by EyeNsteinNo
I wonder if M$ is a secret partner in Proview ??????
At this this point, it's no longer about business. It's all about "certain parties" in the relationship making out like bandits. This is how you "wind up the business" in certain parts of Europe and Asia.
Take as much as you can, call it a "fee" or a "percentage" for services rendered, and pay who you need to pay to shut up about it (or rather, wine, dine and otherwise entertain them, throw some a.ss their way, etc.) and discuss future deals.
Done.
(Just don't leave your damn phone laying around.)
And how dare you say deals are done like that, aren't you vilifying entire countries? Tsk Tsk.
I definitely like the tattoos and what appears to be bike shorts at the beach... but the bulging gut kind of takes away from the badassery.
Also nice is the piles of money and he couldn't even be bothered to get a proper sofa from Ikea or something.