"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." Apple is clearly copying from this innovative Chinese company. If Apple fanatics are actually consistent (*), they would condemn Apple for this clear case of theft.
Post a Comment
Member since:
2007-09-23
As I was reading this right below the story there was a huge advertisement for something iBank. 
Can someone tell me just what the deal with the i-prefix is? Does it have any meaning, like the e-prefix?
Of course, I realize that in the case described in the article it seems that there was no actual i-prefix, just the four letter IPAD in uppercase.
Maybe I should start a naming scheme with a upperletter R suffix...
Member since:2010-10-21
Personally, I think the i-prefix was used when the e-prefix was starting to feel old.
I remember watching a film somewhere in which a business man was trying to smooth talk that it encompass intelligent, interconnected, or something like that. Or it could've been Dilbert. I'm not too sure.
Maybe we should start popularising the p-prefix. That way I'll be in stitches whenever someone mentions the p-cam.
Member since:2011-05-12
Member since:2008-04-10
Member since:2011-05-12
Intelligent Design? ;-)
I don't recall any general naming trend. I think most naming conventions were more or less restricted to certain brands. I think IBM liked to put an e in front of stuff.
Personally I would prefer any naming strategy to actually mean something.
Apple's i stood for Internet, but most iPods don't have Internet access. Only the iPod touch does and it came years after the original iPod. It's a cool name, but I don't see a link between Internet, a pod (I do know where they got that name from) and a media player.
Member since:2006-11-12
No.
"IThings" were around long before Apple had them.
Here is the Lowel iLight: http://www.bwitekblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/ilight1.jpg
The iLight first appeared in 1985, as did it's trademark.
There are other earlier examples, and there has been at least one thread on OSNews on the subject.
Again, Apple just doesn't actually originate much.
Edited 2011-12-08 15:43 UTC
Member since:2011-05-12
Member since:2005-07-11
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2007-03-26
Member since:2007-09-06
Ah yes.. it's confusing and conveluted when KDE bases a naming convention around it's overall product suite. but when Apple develops a naming convention not related to it's company name and primary Mac brand, it's magic and revolutionary.
But then, I've found the people who get hung up over the name rather than the actual merits of the thing don't usually have anything of substance to offer beyond the superficial title.
Member since:2007-01-13
Member since:2007-09-06
Member since:
2005-07-11
...some other company had iPad before Apple in China (or anywhere), then they are entitled to use it and Apple has no right to try and stop them!
I'm an Apple fanboy since 1980. Just because I like products made by a particular company doesn't mean I subscribe to everything they believe or do, I am sure most fans of most things are the same.
I love my Ford Falcon, but Henry was totally into the Nazi thing. Doesn't mean I stop driving my Ford, but also doesn't mean I want to be a Nazi either.
Apple does some cool stuff, but they also do some pretty silly stuff do, as does Google, as does MS, as does everyone else...
Member since:
2010-12-22
Member since:
2006-01-01
The law is the law. If someone else filed a legitimate claim for the iPad name in advance of Apple then Apple either has to pay them off (which is almost certainly what they want) or rename the iPad in China to something else.
Unfortunately for Apple the next best name - XYBoard - is already taken ;-)
]{
Member since:2008-10-23
Member since:2005-10-21
Member since:2007-03-26
There was this case of a computer company using the same name as a record label, who strictly forbid said computer company from releasing any music-orientated products.
Funny enough, that was Apple and they released the iPod regardless.
Edited 2011-12-08 12:52 UTC
Member since:2007-09-06
Member since:2008-10-23
Member since:2005-07-11
Member since:2007-09-06
I remember the licensing being the result of a court case rather than Apple going "hey, we'd like to use that.. could we license it?"
I know both companies are running the IOS name but for the first commenter, there was actually a phone called the Iphone. I belive it was a wifi connecting or voip phone so both Iphone and IOS where "borrowed" after some legal debate. Apple is developing bit of of a history of knowingly taking other's names because it fits there marketing plan at the time.
Member since:
2006-10-11
From TFA, Apple purchased the "global trademark" of "IPAD" from Proview Electronics in 2006 but apparently the TM-holder in China is Proview Technology, another daughter of Proview International. The dispute is about whether the "global trademark" covers the Chinese TM, too, or not.
I can't express my opinion of Apple and people giving Apple money in a friendly manner, so I'll refrain, but this is not looking like some kind of strong-arm tactic or willful neglect on the side of Apple.
Edited 2011-12-08 07:26 UTC
Member since:
2011-09-02
Member since:
2007-01-13
The US based Deckers has trademarked the term UGG in in 145 countries to brand their sheepskin boots. This is despite the fact that "ugg" boots were invented in Australia and the name has been a generic term here and in NZ for nearly 40 years.
The great irony is that in Australia ugg boots were traditionally only worn by bogons ("rednecks/trailer trash"). In the US they are considered to be high fashion items.
Member since:2007-10-15
Member since:2007-01-13
Member since:
2011-08-08
Member since:
2010-09-17
