Apple succeeded in preventing Xiaomi from registering its “Mi Pad” tablet computer as an EU trademark

Dec 8, 2017

Apple succeeded in preventing Xiaomi from registering its “Mi Pad” tablet computer as an EU trademark because the name was too similar to Apple’s “iPad”.

Mi Pad

According to a press release issued by Reuters the European Union’s second-highest court, the General Court, ruled that Mi Pad should not be registered as a trademark because consumers were likely to be English-speaking consumers were likely to understand the prefix “mi” as meaning “my” and therefore pronounce the “i” of Mi Pad and iPad in the same way.

I do not think confusion can be made. The approximation between the two terms is obvious. But buyers have evolved. It is wrong to consider them incapable of making the difference between the two producers. I think there is a trick of the judges in the middle. Here we are not talking about an anonymous Asian maker who uses the name of an existing brand on the market.

The ruling does not prohibit the Xiaomi from using the “Mi Pad” name, it simply prohibits it from registering the trademark in the UE.

I have noticed that the confidence in a high-quality brand has started to decline. The brand is no longer enough to sell a product. Smart technology buyers are renowned for the need to choose a product. For this reason, this decision has a legal value. Commercial value is lower. But not without importance while waiting for US entry.

What I find interesting in this news is another detail:

Xiaomi filed an application in 2014 with the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to register Mi Pad as an EU trademark.

In 2014. Three years ago. This is the pace at which EU justice mediates an economic conflict. From what I understand, this is not a final decision either. Now I hope you understand why smart manufacturers are in conflict with the sedentary legislative system. The rhythm in which technology is developing is extremely alert. The lack of a legal framework does not help. On the contrary. He keeps them in place.

Xiaomi faces similar problems in India – the country where there has been a large increase in units sold this year.

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By Tudor
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