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Category: WTO Sub-category: Intellectual Property
Document type: news
The Warehouse had stolen Apple's thunder and has launched the new iPad in New Zealand on 21st of March, 2012 from 11:00 a.m onwards that is two days before Apple's official launch on 23rd of March, 2012.
The sale was of iPad, and iPad 2 - which had been reduced in price, and to $799 for the 16GB wi-fi and 3G version.
The Warehouse is not an official iPad distributor, but stocks other Apple products such as iPods. The spokesperson of Warehouse said that those iPads had been parallel-imported from the United States.
However, as expected, the Warehouse sold out the new iPad and a range of iPad 2s within minutes, on March 21th, 2012.
Moreover, it is important to note that those who had purchased the new iPad in the Warehouse sale will get their tablets in hand only after the official release date has passed, i.e. after 23rd of March.
Even though, the sale through the retailer's website ended within minutes, it could have long-lasting ramifications.
Eventually, a stage is set for an intriguing power-play between New Zealand's largest retailer, against the world's biggest gadget maker.
Warehouse CEO Mark Powell would not say who his company's parallel importing supplier was, other than that it was a company in the US.
However, he said that he had not heard from Apple about Wednesday's iPad sale.
Further, he said that their company's idea was very simple: if one won't supply a product, then they will parallel import it.
Mr. Powell also stressed the point that his problem was not with Apple, but restrictive distribution agreements as a whole, which were often driven by retailers trying to avoid competitive pressure.
The Warehouse has increased its parallel importing activity across the board over the past six months as they are of the opinion that all brands should be available through all channels.
External links:
Parallel import is a non-counterfeit product imported from another country without the permission of the intellectual property owner. Parallel imports are often referred to as grey product, and are implicated in issues of international trade, and intellectual property.
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