Apple Pulls Online iPad Sales from Amazon China for Unknown Reasons

Just as Chinese authorities have indicated that it would be difficult to impose a ban on Apple's iPad over a trademark dispute, Tech in Asia notes that the popular tablet has gone missing from online stores at Amazon China and Suning.com.

amazon china no ipads
The removal is apparently not, however, the result of a request from Proview Technology, which is laying claim to the iPad trademark and which has been seeking to halt both imports and exports of the device in China. The company's efforts earlier this week resulted in local Chinese authorities seizing a small number of iPads from retailers as others removed their stocks from display to avoid the seizures.

M.I.C gadget reports that the removal of the iPad from sale at Amazon China and Suning.com is actually by Apple's request, although the reasons for the move are not entirely clear.

According to an Amazon China spokesman, the withdrawal is on the notice of Apple and also it’s the adjustment on its sales strategy [...]

Meanwhile, Apple has not made any comments on the issue, and Apple’s staffs in China refuse to reply too. However, as confessed by the lawyer of Proview, Proview did not apply for the administrative ban on the online sale of iPad in Beijing where Amazon China is located; also he has no idea about Apple’s demand for the iPad withdrawal from Amazon China.

The dispute over the iPad trademark in China relates to a deal Apple made with the Taiwanese arm of Proview under which it claims it received the rights to the mark in China. But Proview's Chinese arm has argued that it controls the rights to the trademark in China, and thus Apple's deal with the Taiwanese subsidiary could not have included rights for mainland China. Chinese courts have sided with Proview in the dispute, but Apple is appealing the ruling.

Related Roundup: iPad
Tags: Amazon, China
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

bobenhaus Avatar
172 months ago
WTF? Commie Amazon sell the iPads but the US Amazon don't? :mad:

Why do you head over www.amazon.com and do a search for Ipad and see for yourself. But Karma is a bummer..
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hissyfit Avatar
172 months ago
I am glad I am not living in China. Ha! Ironic, you can make one but you can't have one.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jerdo Avatar
172 months ago
Ridiculous that China is enforcing copyright as the country is the largest infringers in the world.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kolax Avatar
172 months ago
I imagine this was voluntary from Amazon China in order to avoid any lashing from Proview. This will be temporary once the Chinese authorities iron it all out.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ericinboston Avatar
172 months ago
Not to fear...a Chinese Apple employee claims that the iPads will be back "in 10 minute!"


:)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
172 months ago
From AppleInsider:

Chinese customs officials say import, export ban on iPad would be 'difficult' - Apple Insider (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/15/chinese_customs_officials_say_import_export_ban_on_ipad_would_be_difficult.html)


Chinese customs authorities have indicated to Proview, the Chinese company that is locked with Apple over the iPad trademark in the country, that a ban on the importation and exportation of Apple's touchscreen tablet would be "difficult to implement" because of the popularity of the device in the region.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)