Meizu M8 halts production at Apple's behest

Apple has worked with the Chinese State Intellectual Property Office to halt production of Meizu's M8 device. Apple successfully convinced Meizu to halt production, but they are also trying to stop the sale of all produced M8s.

Apple's sudden concern over the M8 is obviously related to their iPhone debut in China. Meizu CEO Jack Wong is angry that Apple is going so far as to stop their sale of accumulated stock. His concern is that their retailers will go out of business before they have the opportunity to sell the upcoming M9.

Wong issued the following heated statement on Meizu's forum: Apple requested that we cease manufacturing the M8 this month, we agreed but then [Apple] came back and asked for a sales ban instead. I can cope with a production freeze, but not with having our shops closed and thus not being able to use up our inventory. If Apple and the provincial IPO take another insatiable step, I can only go head to head against them.

The Chinese government can shut down the factories without a court order, so Meizu is making an effort at compliance in order to protect their future business. If the factories are closed, the Meizu M9 will suffer a costly delay in production. But it seems that Meizu might be stuck, choosing between killing their own product line, or engaging in a David-and-Goliath struggle with Apple and their own government.

source: Meizu Me via Engadget