By Star Chang, posted Aug 9, 2011 at 2:56 AM, 1,071 views,

Beijing Cracks Down on Retailers Using Apple Logo

Beijing’s city government is attempting to crack down on local retailers exploiting Apple’s logo and other branding. Businesses not licensed by Apple are being told to cover up any of the company’s logos, and avoid terms like “Apple authorized reseller” or “Apple direct retailer”. The focused anti-spoofing campaign is expected to last a month. The local government officials remark that the sheer number of unauthorized vendors may be affecting the authorized ones. Authorized seller complains that the unauthorized competitors can offer fake or smuggled Apple products, and will often use much larger Apple logos without Apple’s permission …

The Beijing crackdown, which includes government inspections, follows similar efforts in Kunming. It may not have much traction however, those unauthorized shops in Zhongguancun ( Beijing biggest IT and electronics markets ) have been “sluggish” in response to the branding ban, for instance just partially covering up logos, or continue to allow workers to wear t-shirts with Apple symbols. One of the store manager was very sure that after a few days time, everything would be “back to normal”. The response of vendors may vary from mall to mall, though Apple China has reportedly kept quiet on the matter. One intresting note, the local press has found there were people leading the law enforcer during the crack down, suspect to be Apple representatives.

Meanwhile, there are only 5 Apple’s authorized seller in Beijing’s Zhongguancun. The local press has reported that the large cracks down would not benefit Apple either. Because those unauthorized vendors were selling real Apple’s product which came from the grey market, the ban will after all effects Apple’s final sales. Zhongguancun was well-known for fake software, cheap components and knock-off electronics, and the district government wants to re-develope the place, to reform what they want to be known as “China’s Silicon Valley” into a reputable place for people to do business. The cracks down on unauthorized vendors which use Apple logo illegally, will be consider as a good start, after all Apple is the icon of the tech industry.

Source:
ZOL China (Chinese translated)
Beijing Evening News (Chinese translated)
Global Times