Apple could face $38 million fine in China over iPad name

Remember a while back Apple tried to appeal the court’s decision that the iPad trademark did not belong to Apple as far as China’s trademark registry was concerned? Well it looks like things aren’t looking up for them as Proview Technology, the alleged legal owner for the iPad trademark, might be looking to slap Apple with a rather hefty fine – $38 million to be exact, along with retailers and resellers of Apple’s products that might have used the iPad name.

According to The Global Times, the formal complaint and request for a $38 million fine was suspended after Apple’s objections to the ruling and their subsequent appeal.

“Proview made a formal complaint to the Xicheng administration in 2011 and they had planned to slap Apple with a 240 million yuan ($38 million) fine, but it was suspended after Apple’s objections,” said Xie Xianghui, a lawyer from the Shenzhen branch of Grandall Law Firm.

However the Xicheng district administration came forward and stated that they had never announced the possibility of a 240 million yuan ($38 million) fine, and that “It is still under investigation, so no official comments on the case can be made yet.” Not just out for money, Proview Technology is also apparently seeking an apology from Apple, and to stop selling and marketing the iPad in China.

Will Proview Technology prevail in their case against Apple, or will Apple somehow manage to turn this around in their favor? Either way we’re pretty sure that a fine of $38 million is definitely not a fine Apple will be happy to pay out.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Tablets
Tags: iPad, Legal