Apple Faces Potential $38 Million Fine in China as $1.6 Billion Lawsuit Over 'iPad' Trademark Proceeds

iSmashPhone summarizes a pair of reports from China claiming that Apple is facing a potential 240 million yuan ($38 million) fine from governmental authorities over alleged trademark infringement involving the "iPad" name. The fine pales, however, in comparison to the $1.6 billion Proview Technology, which claims to own the name, is seeking to win in a series of lawsuits filed against Apple. Proview is also said to be seeking an apology from Apple and an injunction preventing the company from using the iPad name in China.

ipad 2 china
Proview first accused Apple of trademark infringement back in 2010, claiming that it had owned the mark in China since 2000 and seeking a settlement from Apple in the range of $800 million. Apple fired back with its own lawsuit claiming that it did own the "iPad" rights in China after having purchased European rights from Proview's parent company for just $55,000.

With Proview having filed a 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) suit against Apple in the meantime, Apple lost its suit when a court ruled that the Chinese rights had not been included in the purchase because the parent company did not hold the authority to sell them.

Apple is appealing the December ruling in favor of Proview, and any potential government fines or resolution to Proview's case against Apple appear to be waiting for that case to be resolved.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)
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Top Rated Comments

*LTD* Avatar
169 months ago
That's rich, coming from China, of all places.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SlugBlanket Avatar
169 months ago


Bringing jobs over to them and now they turn back and bite you. Ouch!!! That's how communists (China) do things.

So by your reasoning, Capitalists wouldn't sue over possible trademark infringement ? That's idiots for you.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
notjustjay Avatar
169 months ago
Apple should troll China and not sell iPads then. Make the country will suck Apple in a moist fashion.

And when the country makes it difficult for Apple to produce iPads, iPods, iPhones, MacBook Airs, MacBook Pros, Apple TVs, etc., etc. in its factories... then what?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
likemyorbs Avatar
169 months ago
An apology from Apple? That's adorable that they think that's possible!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shadowhawk2020 Avatar
169 months ago
Everyone here saying Apple should buy Proview. Doesn't Proview have to agree to be sold? Why would they with a 1.6 billion payday potentially around the corner?

I say change the name to democracy. Then all the Chinese people would want democracy...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
garybUK Avatar
169 months ago
Shocking really, when China is renowned for stealing other people' s designs and making cheap knock off's
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)