Apple launches red special edition iPhone 8/8P to raise funds for AIDS prevention

According to Leifeng.com, on April 9, Apple announced on its official website the launch of a red special edition iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Online orders will be accepted in mainland China from April 10, and they will be available for in-store purchase starting Friday, April 13.

This is the second time this year. On March 21 last year, Apple launched the red iPhone 7/7 Plus for the first time.

Also continuing last year, outside of mainland China, the red iPhone is labeled with the (PRODUCT) RED special edition logo, indicating that this is a Product Red product. Part of the sales revenue will be donated to The Global Fund for its HIV/AIDS program to help provide testing, counseling and treatment for tens of millions of people infected with HIV/AIDS.

In addition, Apple has also launched the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone X leather case Folio, which will be available on the 10th. This product will join Apple's existing Product Red product series.

▲ iPhone X Leather Case Folio

Apple said that for every (PRODUCT)RED product sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated directly to The Global Fund's HIV program to fund testing, counseling, treatment and prevention programs to prevent HIV from being transmitted from mothers to unborn babies.

Since partnering with (RED) in 2006, Apple has donated more than $160 million to The Global Fund, making it the organization's largest corporate donor worldwide.

“Over the past 11 years, Apple has donated more than $160 million, equivalent to 800 million days of lifesaving ARV medication to prevent the spread of HIV from mother to unborn baby,” said (RED) CEO Deborah Dugan.

Tema General Hospital in Ghana receives funding from (RED) The Global Fund. Photo courtesy of Adam Sjoberg on Apple’s website.

Many people have questions: the red iPhone models in Hong Kong and other countries all have the (PRODUCT)RED logo, but why don’t those in mainland China have it?

In fact, Apple CEO Cook confirmed that it is also a product that can donate funds to The Global Fund for AIDS prevention and treatment, but this logo has been removed.

According to Leifeng.com, the reason may be to comply with the relevant provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Overseas Non-Governmental Organizations' Activities in China. Chapter 1, Article 5 of the Law stipulates:

Foreign non-governmental organizations must not engage in or fund profit-making or political activities within the territory of China, nor must they illegally engage in or fund religious activities.

Some people also believe that it is due to the Charity Law of the People's Republic of China, which came into effect on September 1, 2016. Article 22 of the law stipulates:

Charitable organizations that conduct public fundraising must obtain public fundraising qualifications. Charitable organizations that have been registered for two years in accordance with the law may apply to the civil affairs department where they are registered for public fundraising qualifications. The civil affairs department shall make a decision within 20 days from the date of accepting the application. If a charitable organization meets the conditions of a sound internal governance structure and standardized operations, a public fundraising qualification certificate shall be issued; if it does not meet the conditions, a public fundraising qualification certificate shall not be issued and the reasons shall be stated in writing. Foundations and social groups that are allowed to publicly raise funds from the date of registration as stipulated by laws and administrative regulations shall be directly issued public fundraising qualification certificates by the civil affairs department.

Promotion under the (PRODUCT)RED brand may not be legally recognized. According to Wikipedia,

Product Red (stylized as (PRODUCT)RED™) is a for-profit brand that has been licensed to partner companies such as American Express, Apple, Converse, Motorola, Gap and Giorgio Armani, and was founded by U2 lead singer Bono and Bobby Shriver of Debt AIDS Trade in Africa (DATA) to raise funds for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Bobby Shrive has been announced as the CEO of Product Red, and Bono is the current public spokesperson for the brand.

Each partner company will produce products that include the Product Red trademark, and in return for increased revenue from the sale of Product Red products, a percentage of the profits will be donated to the Global Fund.

Previously, Apple’s official website in mainland China also launched products with the (PRODUCT)RED logo, including iPod, but later it was cancelled probably because of compliance with relevant laws.

Therefore, whether you buy a red iPhone in mainland China or other regions, you are doing your part to prevent and control AIDS.

Reference: Apple official website, Zhihu, Leifeng.com report.

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