This is a rather curious story in that Apple doesn’t apparently own the iPad name, rather it bought the rights tuse the name in ten countries from a Chinese company called Proview, and right now Proview is suing Apple in China for infringing its trademark and selling the iPad in China.
It is being reporting in Bloomberg Businessweek that the battle has escalated to the point that Proview is seek a court order to block the export of the iPad from factories in China. On top of this Proview took steps over the weekend to up the stakes in the battle by turning the matter over to the authorities and for them to go into stores that are selling the iPad and confiscate the units.
Roger Xie, a lawyer for the company, told them, “We are applying to customs to stop any trademark- infringing products from imports to China and also for exports.” He went on to add, “Apple wants to postpone and continue infringement of the iPad in China.”
via TechnoBuffalo
Needless to say Apple’s position on the matter is a little different in that they say that Proview is refusing to honor their agreement. With the case still winding its way through the courts, and the next hearing slated for February 22, there is a lot at stake here and not just the possible financial aspect of $1.6 USD in judgement.
The fact is that if Proview does indeed win an injunction against the export of the iPad this could deeply affect Apple especially with the rumored release of the iPad 3 just around the corner.
