Apple Might Rename Vision Pro In China Due To Conflicting Trademarks
Image via Apple
Apple’s Vision Pro headset is gearing up for an international launch, with a China debut expected as early as April. However, a looming trademark inconvenience with Huawei could complicate its release.
According to sources close to the supply chain, the device is almost through the registration process with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and a rollout could take place in April or May at the latest.
Yet, the company’s path to launching the mixed-reality gear in this country won’t be without its hurdles. Chinese tech giant Huawei has had the “Vision Pro” trademark under its belt since 2019, with exclusive rights extending from November 28, 2021, to November 27, 2031.
The Huawei protection encompasses a broad spectrum of goods and services, ranging from LCD TVs to radio equipment, smart glasses, and—importantly, head-mounted virtual reality devices, which means Apple could potentially infringe on its rival’s rights within the Chinese jurisdiction.
Apple may still have options—it could either navigate through legal channels or enter into negotiations with Huawei, possibly incurring costs, to resolve trademark uncertainties.
Elsewhere, the company is eyeing a global rollout for the Vision Pro, which is currently only available in the US. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates that this expansion will occur before the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2024.
