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'League of Legends' adopts Overwatch League-style premium eSports pass
League of Legends isn't just one of the biggest games on the planet, it's perhaps the most popular eSport too. Starting with the upcoming Summer Split of the League Championship Series (LCS) and European Championship (LEC), Riot Games will offer a way to watch matches from pros' points of view, and see everything they do, including mouse clicks and keystrokes.
iPad sales in China climb after trademark resolution
Remember Apple's trademark dispute with monitor manufacturer Proview over the name iPad? The tiff was resolved in July of 2012 when a Chinese court told Apple to pay the company US$60 million, resulting in Apple getting full control of the iPad trademark in China. That trademark issue was apparently keeping many Chinese citizens from purchasing an iPad, because sales of the tablet have skyrocketed since July. IDC analyst Dickie Chang attributed the growth in iPad shipments to Apple's ownership of the trademark in China, which opened the door to "legal" sales of the product. Apple now owns the tablet market in China, having sold 2.07 million units in the third quarter of 2012 -- almost double the number sold in the second quarter. The next largest vendor in the country is Lenovo with sales of 278,000 units, followed by Samsung with only 143,000 tablets. [via TechCrunch]
Daily Update for July 23, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Law firm that helped Proview to $60m iPad China settlement hasn't been paid
In a strangely humorous case of "what goes around comes around", the law firm that helped Chinese manufacturer Proview win a US$60 million settlement against Apple for use of the trademark "iPad" in China is now suing Proview to get back at least $2.4 million in legal fees that have been left unpaid. The Grandall Law Firm was looking forward to a payday equivalent to 4 percent of Apple's settlement. Proview founder Yang Rongshan has apparently said that the law firm's actions are "nonsense," and that the company isn't obligated to pay the firm right now since it isn't operating under normal conditions. Yang has promised that the company won't "pass the buck." Best of luck to the Grandall Law Firm on recovering the fees. [via Engadget] #next_pages_container { width: 5px; hight: 5px; position: absolute; top: -100px; left: -100px; z-index: 2147483647 !important; }
Proview sued by its iPad court case law firm, owes at least 2.4 million dollars in legal fees
Guess who hasn't yet gotten its share of Proview's recently acquired $60 million? Ironically, it's the lawyers that helped it win the iPad trademark dispute in China. According to Sina Tech, Grandall Law Firm confirmed that its shady client refused to pay up the promised 4 percent of Apple's settlement fee, which equates to $2.4 million. While acknowledging their contractual arrangement (wherein the law firm covers the legal fees in advance, and then expect the client to pay up after winning the case), Proview founder Yang Rongshan told Sina Tech that Grandall's behavior is "nonsense," and that his company isn't obliged to pay back immediately as it isn't under normal operation right now. However, Yang promises Proview won't "pass the buck." We shall see about that -- maybe he could spend some yuans on buying Grandall a few new iPads, at least.
Apple to sell the iPad in China starting July 20
Apple announced on Tuesday that the new iPad will go on sale in China starting July 20. The launch of the tablet device was delayed by a trademark lawsuit filed by Chinese company Proview. Proview claimed it had the legal right to the iPad name in China, even though a division of the company sold the trademark to Apple several years ago. Apple fought Proview in China's court system and eventually settled the suit for US$60 million last week. Now that the trademark dispute is out of the way, Apple is able to start selling the device in the Asian country. The new iPad will be available in both WiFi and cellular versions with storage capacities of 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB.
Apple pays $60 million in iPad trademark dispute, makes peace with Proview
Earlier this year, iPads were flying off the shelves in China -- but not for the expected reasons. The slates were being removed from stores following an injunction granted to Shenzhen Proview Technology, a local firm that had laid claim to the iPad trademark. The injunction would later be rebuffed by a Shanghai court, resuming tablet sales while the dispute raged on. Today, Apple and Proview have come to a resolution, putting $60 million in Proview's coffers and the matter to rest. Feeling lost? Let us catch you up. Way back at the turn of the century, Proview's Taiwan branch registered the "iPad" trademark for its Internet Personal Access Device -- an all-in-one PC that wasn't unlike Apple's own iMac. Later on, Apple would purchase the worldwide rights to the name from the Taiwan branch, which presumably included Shenzhen Proview Technology's claim -- though the Chinese vice minister for the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) would later declare Proview the trademark's rightful owner. Fast forward to today, and the two firms are finally settling. According to The New York Times, Proview had originally sought as much as $400 million, but has agreed to settle for a lesser amount to help it pay its debts. Either way, Apple seems to have already transferred the sum, according to the Guangdong High People's Court, apparently eager to put the dispute behind them.
Apple preps two new retail stores in China despite Proview threats
Apple currently has five stores in China -- three in Shanghai and two in Beijing -- but the company is hoping to open two new flagship stores in Chengdu and Shenzhen to bolster sales in the country. At this point in time, China is a hot market for Apple, with the country accounting for a significant portion of the huge quarterly profit increase reported in April. There's only one fly in the proverbial ointment, however. A lawyer for Proview Technology (Shenzhen) told Reuters that if Apple tried selling iPads at a new store planned for the city, Proview would seek an injunction to stop it. Proview, of course, believes that it owns the iPad trademark and the two companies have been fighting it out in Chinese courts for months. Apple hopes to set up shop in the trendy Holiday Plaza mall in Shenzhen's Nanshan district. The company delivered documents to government officials on Monday, and government official noted that Apple only needs to submit an environmental permit before approval is given. Chengdu, which is in southwestern China, is also the target of an upcoming new store. In late May, Apple gained approval to set up a business to handle "retail sales and after-sales service." There's no word on where the Chengdu store will be located, but Apple is currently hiring for sales staff in both Chengdu and Shenzhen.
China greenlights Apple's third-gen iPad for 3G use, China Unicom smiles knowingly
Apple's current iPad is already cleared for China in WiFi trim, but those of us who've wanted to roam through Kunming on care-free 3G haven't had any officially approved choices. That's ending soon, as the Chinese government just gave the cellular version (A1430) the all-clear. Like in most parts of the world, Apple's slate won't use LTE given the lack of any established network in the area; HSPA's as good as it will get. The clearance is slightly odd given that the State Administration for Industry and Commerce is leaning in Proview's direction when it comes to iPad trademark ownership. With the iPad still legally available in the country, though, it's safe to say that official 3G iPad carrier China Unicom is happy to prepare for a rush of customers who want to buy a cellular iPad without using the zipline delivery method.
China approves sale of Apple 3G device, possibly the new iPad
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, China's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center has approved a license for the sale of an unnamed 3G device from Apple. The device is compatible with China Unicom and is listed as model A1430, which is the model number Apple uses for the new iPad. Though it is on sale in many countries worldwide, the iPad is not yet available in China. This delayed launch is likely the result of an ongoing legal dispute with Proview over the iPad name. Apple has not publicly commented on a Chinese iPad launch, and a China Unicom spokeswoman declined to comment when approached by the Wall Street Journal.
Proview reportedly rejects Apple's settlement offer
Earlier this week, a report suggested Apple and Proview were far apart on a settlement for the iPad trademark in China. According to Sina, the difference between the two companies is about US$384 million. The report claims Apple offered Proview $16 million for the iPad name and the Chinese company rejected the offer. Proview reportedly wants $400 million from Apple so it can appease its creditors. [Via The Next Web]
Judge throws out Proview lawsuit against Apple in California
A California judge threw out Proview's iPad trademark lawsuit against Apple in the US, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This dismissal is inconsequential to the trademark case which is making its way through the Chinese court system. Apple asked for and was granted the dismissal which lets the Asian court system make the final decision on the trademark infringement suit. Apple and Proview are discussing settlement terms for the infringement case which is being heard in Guangdong province. A recent report suggests there is a wide gap between the settlement being proposed by the two companies.
Proview notes "big gap" in Apple's settlement terms
Apple and Proview are talking settlement in their dispute over the iPad trademark in China, but the two companies are far from reaching an agreement. Roger Xie, lawyer for Proview, told Bloomberg, "The Guangdong Higher People's court is trying to mediate this, and both parties are trying to negotiate and come to a settlement. Right now, there is still a big gap between the two sides on the settlement amount." Proview is battling Apple over the rights to the iPad name and claims it still owns the trademark. Apple asserts it bought the trademark from a division of the Chinese company in 2009. The dispute has made its way to the Guangdong Higher People's court after Apple appealed a lower court ruling that said Proview owned the iPad name.
Chinese official says Proview owns iPad trademark in China, court battle continues
Who knew some funky capitalization could cause so much trouble? Proview -- the purveyor of that 90s-era all-in-one called the iPAD -- hasn't let up in its fight to wrestle the rights to the iPad name from iPad maker Apple. The legal antics started in China, where Proview temporarily managed to get Apple's tablet booted off store shelves before being rebuffed by a Shanghai court -- after which the company promptly brought the case stateside. It's been all quiet on the iPad trademark front for a solid month now, but a report from All Things D indicates that the squabble is still going strong. Today the Chinese vice minister for the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) declared that Proview is, in fact, the rightful owner of the iPad trademark. The SAIC has so far kept mum about the iPad trademark spat, so its decision to break that silence is sure to carry some weight when it comes time for the Chinese higher court to hand down its verdict.
Proview spokesperson says iPad settlement "likely"
The dispute between Chinese display maker Proview and Apple over the iPad trademark may be nearing resolution. The Guangdong High Court wants the two companies to reach a settlement over the dispute that started when Proview's Taiwan subsidiary sold worldwide rights to the trademark to Apple in 2009. The registration of the trademark was never transferred to China, and financially troubled Proview has been attempting to stop Apple from using the iPad name. According to Ma Dongxiao, a lawyer for Proview, "It is likely that we will settle out of court. The Guangdong High Court is helping to arrange it and the court also expects to do so." Ma stated that "Actually Proview always expected to settle out of court from the beginning. I don't know if Apple has changed its attitude, but I believe that the key point now is the price." Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu said that the company had no new comment about a possible settlement and released a statement that mentioned that Proview "still owe a lot of people a lot of money, they are now unfairly trying to get more from Apple for a trademark we already paid for." Despite the comments about a possible settlement, a senior official with the Chinese State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) today said that "According to the ... provisions of the China Trademark Law, currently Shenzhen Proview is the legal registrant of the iPad trademark." The comments from Fu Shuangjian, a deputy director of SAIC, are the first that have been made from a government official about the case and could very well forecast the direction that the court may rule -- in favor of Proview. That would most likely mean an expensive settlement for Apple to retain the iPad name in China.
Apple reportedly in talks with iPad trademark challenger in China
According to a Computerworld report, Apple and Chinese company Proview are in talks to resolve their dispute over the iPad trademark in China. The case is being heard in the Higher People's Court of Guangdong Province. Before it hands down a ruling, the court recommended the two companies meet first and try to hammer out an agreement. Proview has indicated in earlier comments that it wants to reach a settlement with Apple, but Apple has made it clear it will defend the trademark it purchased in 2009. As of today, the new iPad is still not available in the Asian country.
China notably not getting new iPad just yet
Despite the growing number of users everywhere else, China still hasn't gotten on board with the new iPad. Forbes reports that Apple is taking a cautious approach to introducing the next-generation iPad there because of ongoing trademark issues with Proview. Forbes' Doug Young said he felt Apple withholding the new iPad is a way to pressure Beijing courts into a favorable ruling in the trademark case.
Tim Cook meets with China's Vice Premier
Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing yesterday to discuss intellectual property rights and, most likely, the ongoing iPad trademark dispute with beleaguered monitor manufacturer Proview. According to M.I.C. Gadget, which provided footage from Chinese TV of the meeting between Cook and the Vice Premier, Li "is a vice commerce minister and official of the National Development and Reform Commission, and will almost certainly be preparing to become China's prime minister." Chinese news agency Xinhua said that the Vice Premier promised Cook that China would boost intellectual property rights protection. In return, Cook assured Li that Apple would strengthen its cooperation with the Chinese and conduct business "in a law-abiding and honest manner." Li also called on multinational companies like Apple to "pay more attention to caring for workers in China," something the company has made a priority in 2012. Video of the meeting is included below.
Daily Update for March 22, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Apple says Proview is misleading courts, its customers
Apple and China-based Proview have been battling over the use of the term "iPad." Apple claims it bought the rights years ago, Proview disagrees. This week, Apple spokeswoman Carolyn Wu claims the Cupertino company was "tricked" into signing an agreement that creates questions about the term's ownership. Specifically, Apple claims Proview maneuvered the 2009 arrangement through its Taiwan arm while the trademarks in dispute belonged to its Shenzhen subsidiary. Apple further claims this move was an attempt to avoid mainland creditors, as the company is in debt by hundreds of millions of dollars.
