Meizu plans office in California

Meizu head Jack Wong said Tuesday that he planned to expand to the US. The company would set up an office in California and planned to sell devices like the M9 and upcoming MX. Wong was shy on timing or exact plans.

The move is risky if confirmed as it could immediately invite a lawsuit from Apple. The iPhone maker has argued that the M8 and other devices copied the iPhone's look and feel. M8 phone sales were temporarily frozen until a patent technicality ultimately voided Apple's claims. Apple hasn't made further claims in China against the M9, but a Meizu US office could give Apple a reason to sue using the same patents it's using to target Samsung.

The M9 has been a part of Meizu's gradual move towards more original designs. Still, it shows trace similarities like its central home button and certain key apps customized to look more like those on an iPhone. Meizu's use of Android would likely compound the situation since Apple has been systematically targeting the platform. [via Meizu Me]

By Electronista Staff