Apple ’s much reflect iPad 3 has emerged as the latest target in an ongoing hallmark contravention in China , after a little - make love Taiwanese business firm said on Wednesday it has file for a customs prohibition with local authorities to stop the import and exportation of the tablet .
Ma Dongxiao , a lawyer for display vendor Proview , said the company has filed the request with the rural area ’s usage offices , but refuse to offer up detail . “ We experience that Apple is conflict on the iPad hallmark , ” he said , adding that the companionship ’s goal was to stop shipments of Apple ’s next multiplication iPad .
Both Proview and Apple have been locked in a sound battle to learn which fellowship owns the iPad trademark in mainland China . In December , a Shenzhen court pooh-pooh Apple ’s claim to the trademark , put the troupe ’s iPad at peril of further legal activity in the state .
China is not only a major food market for Apple , but also home plate to many of the factories that build the company ’s product . If a customs ban is allowed , it could block off the significance of iPad lozenge to the country , but is unconvincing to affect exports , said Stan Abrams , an rational prop attorney and prof at Beijing ’s Central University of Finance and Economics .
“ Apple can come back and say to the government , ‘ We have the right to make stuff here , ’ ” he allege , noting that Apple possess the iPad stylemark in other countries .
More than 30 commercial regulatory offices in China areinvestigatingApple ’s sales of the iPad follow complaints made from Proview , accord to the company ’s attorney . One of those offices , locate in the Formosan city of Xuzhou , confirm on Wednesday an investigating was taking situation , but declined further comment . Another Formosan metropolis , Shijiazhuang , has reportedlyseizediPads from merchants .
Apple did not immediately answer to a request for commentary . The ship’s company has appealed the December court opinion . Apple exact the company bought the iPad stylemark from Proview ’s foot soldier in Taiwan .
Although its still unclear how authorities will proceed , Abrams said Proview is pressuring Apple to settle and purchase the iPad trademark . But Proview , which has lodge for bankruptcy , could be call for for a core Apple believes is too mellow and unwilling to pay .
“ If there is n’t a ( closure ) , this could be a big job for Apple , ” he say . “ They could have damage to pay for retiring iPad sales agreement and even future sales . That ’s a big headache . Proview has all these cases they have file all over the state . ”
