Proview's iPad claims are 'misleading' and 'unfair', states Apple

While Apple continues to sell its iPads successfully the world over; the fate of the popular tablet computer seems rather clouded with uncertainity in China, as Proview Technology continues to create a dent in Apple’s ambitions in the country. For those not in the now of the matter, Proview Technology, a Shenzhen, China-based company has been accusing Apple of infringing on the iPad trademark name, which they claim to own in China. While a final verdict is being awaited, Proview Technology has been asking retailers and suppliers across several cities to stop selling the popular tablet computer in the country. Now, Apple has, according to reports come out very strongly against Proview Technology claiming that Proview’s claims that it still holds the rights to the trademark iPad name in the China are misleading and false, reports The Washington Post. 

More troubles on the way?

Further quoting from Apple’s statement, the report stated that, “Proview is misleading Chinese courts and customers with claims that the iPad trademarks cannot be transferred, or that mistakes were made in handling the transaction. We respect Chinese laws and regulations, and as a company that generates a lot of intellectual property we would never knowingly abuse someone else’s trademarks.” Apple’s statement further throws light on the matter, by stating that in 2009, on the behalf of Apple, a company approached Shenzhen Proview Technology, in who’s possession were 2 trademarks in mainland China. Reportedly, back then, Proview had insisted upon selling the trademarks through their Taiwan-based, affiliate, so as to avoid paying its creditors. 

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According to Proview’s claims, when Apple went about securing the global trademark rights for the term, iPad, it managed to do so, everywhere, except for China. Here, Proview Technology refused to part with it. However, Apple claims that, “Proview Electronics insisted on the terms of the 2009 purchase of the iPad brand name with the understanding that the mainland Chinese-registered trademarks were included in the worldwide rights to use the name.” Reportedly, in its response to Apple’s statement, Proview lawyer Xie Xianghui counter-accused Apple saying that it is not Proview, but Apple, themselves who are misleading the courts, public and the media and that it is “wrong for Apple to do this.”

With the launch of Apple’s newest tablet computer, fears of more trouble coming in are brewing already.