iPhone Cloner Stops Production Under Pressure

[Paul Daniel Ash]

Following intense pressure from Apple and intellectual property regulators in China, Meizu Technology Co., Ltd. is halting production of its popular iPhone lookalike. The Meizu M8, which some have called the most successful mobile phone in China, somewhat resembles the iPhone 3G and runs a skinned version of Android that looks like iOS. Last week, the company's CEO posted on a popular Meizu forum to say that they would have to suspend the manufacturing of the M8 because of all the heat coming down from the government of Guangdong province.

Since before the M8 started production, Apple has been threatening the Chinese company over potential patent infringement. That pressure increased, with Meizu CEO Jack Wong saying on a forum post at MeizuMe.com that "Apple's lawyers have been using less than decent negotiation tactics." According to Jack, Apple was attempting to "claim rights to the large touchscreen smartphone form factor." Bowing to complaints from Apple, the Guangdong provincial branch of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) also dogpiled on Meizu, threatening to shut his factory down if he kept manufacturing the iPhone clones.

Jack eventually agreed to Apple's demand that he stop production of the M8, but Apple then raised the bar, saying that Meizu also had to stop all display and sales of his remaining stock of M8s. SIPO has the power to close factories without a court order, which means that Meizu's factory can be shut down if they do not comply. Jack objects, saying this was not part of the agreement he negotiated with Apple, and that it would be a major blow to his company as well as driving Meizu's franchised stores out of business. "I can cope with a production freeze, but not with having our shops closed and thus not being able to use up our inventory," Jack wrote on MeizuMe. "If Apple and the provincial IPO take another insatiable (?) step, I can only go head to head against them." He claims that he has the support of the city of Zhuhai against the provincial intellectual property office's stance.

Meizu is currently gearing up for the launch of the M9, which is an Android phone with more of a unique design that will sport a Cortex-A9 multicore processor and a high-definition 960x680 screen. Jack hopes that he can keep his factory open so that he can get the new phone out, and that the M9's changed appearance will keep Apple off his back.


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeP1KCVYeFk[/ame]


Source: Engadget

[whereswaldo]

I find it funny that a knockoff iPhone running skinned Android is one of the most successful phones in China

[MindGem]

iPhone skinned Android phone.

[iphone?3gs]

Actually this phone dosent really look that bad...... Better than some of the Android Phones we get here in the US

[spyder2005]

And with all the lack of regulation in that country im sure you'll have a cancer growing out of your ear within 2 years of using that phone, lol

[eg6motion]

not sure how this is a knock-off. It was being developed during the 1st iphone release. Meizu is actually a real company with real products, not the typical china-knock-off items.

[Be Expressive]

I'll give you my iPhone 4 for this


Apple's just a big dumb bully

[manickbarry]

Actually looks quite good wonder what the M9 will be like

[awesomeSlayer]

Apple will do anything to be leader of everything.

[gbarielmoreno]

Just in. Micheal essany reports M8 going to be on verizon for the holiday season

[ShredNasty]

What part of the iPhone does this copy?

just in. Micheal essany reports m8 going to be on verizon for the holiday season

hahahaha!

[Sticky111]

Actually this phone dosent really look that bad...... Better than some of the Android Phones we get here in the US

I have had the luxury of using one of these and let me tell you they are nice, function smoothly and I do like it better than the US androids. The only thing that I hated was the serious plastic feel

[mohaas05]

It's obvious from looking at the video that much of the UI was skinned to look like the iPhones (the camera app is a noticable example).

[unlockingsky]

not a bad android phone... i like the looks of it from video.

[iNT3Rv3NTiONZz]

Just in. Micheal essany reports M8 going to be on verizon for the holiday season

Lol


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[severe]

them chinky´s looove they knocked off products maaang!!!!

lol

^__^

This is ok here? Right on.

Anyone know, perchance, where a guy could purchase a white hood?

[whereswaldo]

This is ok here? Right on.

Anyone know, perchance, where a guy could purchase a white hood?

Lol

[zoso10]

So when is the jailbreak coming out for the Meizu M8?!?!!? Is the unlock available yet!?!?!?!? Can I put super neat themes on it?!?!?! [/NOOB]

[jose060789]

Looks more like an iPhone using a Cydia theme


Sent from my iPhone 4 using ModMyi

[smuggler]

That's just perfect, haha