"Vision Pro" Trademark Registered 4 Years Ago
Presumed Name for Huawei TV Product Line
"Apple May Not Be Able to Use Vision Pro in China"
Apple's mixed reality (MR) headset 'Vision Pro' has been found to have the same trademark already registered in China. It was registered by China's leading IT company Huawei.
On the 12th (local time), the US IT media outlet 'PhoneArena' reported, "Huawei registered the trademark 'Vision Pro' back in May 2019." Because of this, Apple may need to change the product name to sell Vision Pro in China.
Huawei already has a product lineup related to virtual reality (VR) devices, including smart TVs and smart glasses. 'Vision' is the name of Huawei's TV product lineup, and Vision Pro is presumed to be a trademark applied for with the intention of developing a premium TV product.
The trademark is valid until November 27, 2031. Also, as long as Huawei continues to sell TV products, the possibility of transferring the trademark rights to Apple seems remote.
Regarding this, the Chinese IT media 'GizChina' stated, "Trademark negotiations between Apple and Huawei could take a long time and be complicated," and predicted, "Changing the Chinese name of Vision Pro and selling it under a different name is the easiest way to avoid disputes."
However, there is also a possibility that Apple may spend a large sum to negotiate the transfer of trademark rights with Huawei. Previously, Apple paid $60 million (approximately 77.3 billion KRW) to a local company called Proview in China in 2012 to use the trademark 'iPad.'
Apple's flagship product 'iPhone' trademark was also available for use only after paying Cisco an estimated amount between $25 million and $50 million (approximately 32.2 billion to 64.4 billion KRW) in 2007.
Meanwhile, Vision Pro is scheduled to be sold starting early next year in the United States. Since it is a high-priced device costing $3,499 (approximately 4.5 million KRW), it is uncertain whether China will be included among the initial sales countries.
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