Huawei Trademarks its own Mobile OS after US Ban

Huawei, a Chinese multinational technology company, files Trademark Registration of its own operating system (OS) “Hongmeng” for use in at least nine countries and Europe that can replace the Android OS in their smartphones, and other devices. This move comes after the US government imposed a ban on Huawei that prevents the Chinese company from dealing with American companies. The ban implies that people who use Huawei phones and devices around the globe won’t receive Android OS updates, which would have an adverse effect on the company’s business and reputation in the consumer market. As Huawei is the world’s second largest manufacturer of smartphones, the US ban could position the company in jeopardy.

Huawei has filed the trademark registration of its “Hongmeng” OS in many countries like Cambodia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, besides Peru and the European Union, as per the data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

However, the US administration doesn’t seem to relax its ban imposed on Huawei. Some state department officials have also stated that the technology company won’t be able to proceed further without the support of US companies. The US may also try and exert influence on some of its friendly nations, including the European Union, not to engage in any trading with Huawei.

As per the allegation, the Chinese company might have few connections with the Chinese government and that its OS might be used for spying. However, Huawei has denied such accusations.

Though it is a matter of fact that yes; Huawei has not been very successful in obtaining the registration of its “Hongmeng” OS trademark. For instance, in Peru, the country’s antitrust agency, Indecopi disclosed that it had asked for some additional details about the OS from Huawei to which the company has not responded in nine months.

It may take some time for Huawei before the “Hongmeng” OS gets the required clearances to update their smartphones with the proprietary OS.