Apple's Vision Pro May Launch in China Under Different Name Due to Trademark Issues
It appears Apple's new Vision Pro headset may go by another moniker when it eventually launches in China. According to a recent report, Apple could be prevented from using the Vision Pro name in China due to Huawei successfully registering it as a trademark back in 2019.
The report, originating from Chinese supply chain sources, suggests Apple is aiming to release Vision Pro in China between April and May 2023. This aligns with recent hints from Apple CEO Tim Cook that a China launch would happen "soon" after the initial US product rollout this spring.
However, because Chinese electronics giant Huawei holds a current 10-year Vision Pro trademark applicable to VR headsets and related display products awarded in 2021, legal experts state Apple could risk infringing intellectual property rights by debuting their mixed reality headset under that exact same name in the region.
While Vision Pro trademarks exist in numerous countries worldwide registered to various companies, China's court system in particular has displayed favoritism rulings benefiting local firms in past tech IP disputes against foreign competitors. For example, a questionable 2016 judgment temporarily barred Apple from selling certain iPhone models in China over trademark disagreements. That decision was later reversed but illustrates risks Vision Pro could temporarily encounter regulatory obstacles tied to branding there.
My instinct is that any potential naming hurdle likely poses a relatively minor complication for Apple launching an eventual blockbuster consumer electronics device into its second-largest national market. Even if Vision Pro as a product name remains disputed for months and embroiled in legal appeals, Apple could likely still introduce the hardware under a different moniker unique to China without severely impeding enthusiasm or preorders and then market it, as Vision Pro elsewhere globally.
This "when in China, do as the Chinese" workaround could help Apple elegantly sidestep any trademark injunctions Huawei pursues over the contested Vision Pro name, just as Apple weathered past iPhone branding headwinds there through temporary regional rebrands before.
Given Tim Cook's vocal advocacy about China's significance in driving Apple's future ambitions as sales growth driver despite regulatory tensions, we can expect Apple putting steadfast effort into ensuring swift China availability for their landmark headset even if Vision Pro branding itself requires short-term substitutes placating legal or political objections. Early April and May release timeframes may still hold regardless of initial naming uncertainties. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts. And Hey! History buffs, buckle up! Talking Time Machine isn't your dusty textbook lecture. It's where cutting-edge AI throws wild interview parties with history's iconic figures.
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