Bill Bishop over at DigiCha is reporting that iPads are being taken off the shelves in China to prevent seizure from authorities.
Apparently as a result of the Proview iPad trademark infringement verdict, some local Administrations of Industry and Commerce (AIC) have started to confiscate Apple ($AAPL) iPads they find on sale.
That’s right, in China, of all places, intellectual property rights are restricting sales. I FEEL LIKE I’M TAKING CRAZY PILLS.
Turns out, you can probably still get an iPad in stores, even if they aren’t on the shelves. You’ll just have to ask at the counter. The store owners just don’t want the IP police breathing down their necks. It’s understandable, but still kind of sad.
While Apple exploits IP law just as much as any other company, it really is demoralizing when trademark, copyright, and patents are used to restrict advancement instead of foster it. The poison that is IP battles isn’t just for the western world anymore. Now Chinese citizens can enjoy the nonsense that is baseless legal slap-fighting.
What do you think? Are the IP laws going to change worldwide in our lifetimes? Will this hurt Apple significantly in China? Sound off in the comment section so we can hear your thoughts. Specifically, we’d love to hear what you have to say if you actually live in China.
Source: DigiCha
