Xiaomi Yu Chengdong's hinge patents are mutually restrictive, I'm afraid I have to sweat for Yu Chengdong
Text/Wang Xinxi
Xiaomi's Yu Chengdong's hinge patent mutual accusation has aroused widespread attention in the industry, but judging from this mutual accusation, I am afraid that I will have to sweat for Yu Chengdong.
The incident originated at the pollen annual meeting on Saturday, Huawei's Yu Chengdong said this: Friends don't respect our (Huawei's) intellectual property rights when they plagiarize, and they just make up a name in the past and say it's their own, and the double-spinning water drop hinge directly becomes the keel hinge, and the keel does not exist.
In response to this, Xiaomi clarified in the statement that the keel hinge is a new generation of folding hinge developed by Xiaomi Group, and the industry's first 3-level rod group structure is not the same as the "double spin water drop hinge" called by Yu Chengdong.
Xiaomi pointed out, "Whether it is the design idea or the mechanical structure, Xiaomi's self-developed 'keel hinge' is completely different from the so-called 'double spin water drop hinge' claimed by Mr. Yu Chengdong." After studying the technical information and published patent information disseminated by Mr. Yu Chengdong's company, and verifying it through actual dismantling, Mr. Yu Chengdong's remarks are completely inconsistent with the facts. We ask Mr. Yu Chengdong to follow the basic rules of 'science and rigor', and refrain from smearing his peers and misleading the public. ”
Will Yu Chengdong still win this time? Judging from the current situation, I am afraid that I will have to sweat for Yu Chengdong.
Controversy over hinge patents
First of all, comparing Xiaomi's "keel hinge" patent and Huawei's "double spin water drop hinge" patent, it can be found that although Huawei's "double spin water drop hinge" was applied earlier than Xiaomi's "keel hinge" patent, the patent publication date was earlier, and there are differences in the technical characteristics of the two.
If it is really infringing, Huawei can directly sue for patent invalidation, so there is a high probability that there is no infringement, which is also the focus of Xiaomi's reply, because from the perspective of time, plagiarism is not valid.
From the perspective of time, Huawei's first in-fold water drop folding product was launched in February 2021, Huawei's in-fold water drop patent was applied for in December 2019 and only made public in June 2021, and Xiaomi's three-level rod set keel hinge has been submitted in September 2020. Judging from Xiaomi's counterattack, there is actually one thing that Xiaomi's announcement is not clearly written, that is, Xiaomi's keel hinge patent is a case of multiple applications, and it has applied for invention patents and utility model patents at the same time.
Huawei's patent for a similar technology for three-link water drop folding was only applied for in October 2021. Therefore, when Xiaomi applied for a three-link hinge, there were no Huawei waterdrop hinge products on the market, and Huawei's relevant patents were not disclosed in the secrecy stage. Xiaomi's patents are independent.
As for plagiarism and borrowing from the hinge form? In fact, the hinge form of each company is basically the same. Judging from the controversy between Xiaomi and Yu Chengdong, there are differences between the two in terms of design structure, parts data and size, but there are similarities in thinking.
There are also industry insiders speculating behind this: If Xiaomi's patent was made by someone who dug Huawei, then Huawei's similar patent was a year late because it was poached, which shows that the core research and development of this patent is in the hands of this person who was dug up, so where did he develop it, and the patent must belong to whom.
However, the controversy of hinge patents is that if we talk about the similarities, they can be traced back much further, such as the hinges on our doors, which are the ancestors of hinges.
Applied to mobile phones, Motorola applied for a patent in 2016, which contains a hinge that contains a temperature sensor and a heating element, which can be selectively activated to increase the temperature of the surrounding OLED panel, so that the malformed OLED panel can return to its normal state.
For this patent battle,Some industry insiders believe that,From the market level,Xiaomi Mix fold3 of about 10,000 yuan and 15000 yuan of Huawei mateX5 constitute a competitive relationship,On the other hand,Xiaomi mobile phone has a good momentum recently,Especially Xiaomi14The sales momentum is very good,Although Xiaomi is still inferior to Huawei in the high-end market,But Xiaomi is4K+The second in the domestic market,This may have given Yu Chengdong some pressure。
Xiaomi's response,Only used"Yu Chengdong and his company",It has not been extended to Huawei,On the one hand, you make your own mistakes,Don't expand the problem,On the other hand, it can be reasonable,The biggest highlight is the sentence at the end"Science and rigor are the basic guidelines that should be followed。 This is the words of Yu Chengdong's circle of friends who understood Emperor Che before. On the one hand, it is justified, and on the other hand, this time Xiaomi PR knows where the hot spots are.
The positive effect of this patent battle on the industry is that technology and innovation are always the trump card to win, and perhaps more companies can be urged to pay attention to patents, innovation and originality, which is a good thing, but on the other hand, Yu Chengdong and many bigwigs have scolded each other in the past, and there are many consumers who stand on Huawei this time.
From the current point of view, Yu Chengdong may need to change himself to adapt to the current changes in consumer psychology and industry status.
Huawei no longer needs to prove itself, and Yu Chengdong should perhaps change his marketing style
In fact, Yu Chengdong rarely loses in a war of words, after all, consumers have a lot of support for Huawei, and Huawei is the leader in China's scientific and technological research and development, which is beyond doubt. But judging from today's situation, Huawei has grown into a recognized giant in China, and everyone has higher expectations for Huawei, not only in technology, but also in the competitive posture of peers.
Just as Hu Xijin came out a few days ago to express his position: Huawei is the banner of China's information industry, is the big brother, Huawei's technological innovation is systematic, unbeatable, but several other companies have taken different routes, but they also have their own contributions, sincerely hope to see them compete with each other and cooperate with each other and unite at the same time, and jointly promote the strength and prosperity of the science and technology industry.
Yu Chengdong's marketing style in the past has always been to emphasize the absolute suppression and hanging of opponents in technology, and to prove that he is better than others in everything. But in fact, this style may no longer be suitable for today's Huawei, because today everyone knows that Huawei is stronger than its peers, which no longer needs to be proven, but today's situation is that everyone is afraid of Huawei, worried that Huawei will enter an industry, and many people in this industry will lose their jobs. In fact, Huawei needs to rein in its edge, empower the industry, and grow together with the industry.
After all, no matter what industry it is, consumers need more diversified manufacturers and products, more differentiated styles, and more choices.
In today's market environment, Huawei needs not only competitors, but also the support and cooperation of peers in many businesses. Especially when it comes to a lot of To B business.
In the past, BYD Wang Chuanfu once said that I hope BYD can be more stable, especially in the 100,000-200,000 yuan BYD car, we must occupy absolute control, but we also have to leave food for others to eat, and leave a way to live for others. You can't make others feel bad, it's not good for everyone.
In fact, this is in the new energy vehicle circle, in the past, many car companies were unwilling to cooperate with Huawei, in fact, it is also this kind of jealousy.
Today, HuaweiMate60 series is winning the word of mouth for Huawei, whether it is the chip business, the Harmony operating system or the layout and diffusion of new energy vehicle intelligent driving capabilities, Huawei needs the support of a large number of partners to win users, but also to win the respect of peers, take the initiative to change the market atmosphere that peers are afraid of, and it may be more beneficial to Huawei's future development.
If it is said that 3 years ago, Huawei still needs to prove itself, but today Huawei no longer needs it, today is different from the past, Huawei's market position and brand status have basically been determined, in fact, there is no need to prove anything, no one will think that Xiaomi's technology will be stronger than Huawei. Especially in today's market environment, whether it is the mobile phone industry or the new energy vehicle industry, the development of the domestic market is gradually saturated, and the mutual scolding is becoming more frequent.
When Huawei's status is different, the market atmosphere is different, and the psychological state of consumers is different, the marketing style that is too sharp and strong may not be conducive to the further upward movement of Huawei's brand, in this regard, Yu Chengdong may need to change the style.
Author: Wang Xinxi, Senior Reviewer of TMT This article is not reproduced without permission