Chinese firm to receive compensation after Apple trademark lawsuit over iPad is denied
By Dakota Torres on 07 Dec 11Apple is currently facing a problem with selling its iPad in the mainland of China. This is due to the fact that a tech company called Proview Technology in China currently owns the trademark iPad in China.
Proview Technology in Shenzhen is a subsidiary to Hong Kong Proview International Holdings Limited. Proview also has a location in Taipei which was the branch that registered the iPad name in numerous countries and regions back in 2000. Proview Shenzhen registered the trademark back in 2001. In 2009, Apple bought the rights to use the trademark for 35,000 pounds or 54,616 dollars, but what caused a problem was the fact that Proview Shenzhen could still use the trademark rights on the mainland of China. The two have been duking it out legally ever since. Earlier this week, Apple’s lawsuit against Proview Technology was denied by the Municipal Intermediate People’s Court in Shenzhen.
Proview Shenzhen was once a powerful flat-panel display producer, but is currently on the verge of bankruptcy due to the global financial crisis. The company is seeking 10 billion yuan or 1.6 billion US dollars in compensation for Apple infringing their trademark.
It looks as though Apple will either have to pay up, or change the name of their iPad in China. It’s interesting to see Apple on the other end of a legal battle since they usually are the ones winning the cases. We will keep you updated on the status of this situation.
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- The new iPad officially arrives in China on July 20
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