By Chris Chang, posted Feb 7, 2012 at 12:30 AM, 559 views,

Apple May Be Fined 2.4 Billion Chinese Yuan Over iPad Trademark Infringement in China

OMG. The Chinese iPad trademark battle is getting more serious. Recently, China’s State Administration for Industry & Commerce (SAIC) launched an investigation into possible trademark infringement by Apple after a Chinese company filed a lawsuit against the electronics giant for infringing upon its trademark of the iPad name, which may result in Apple receiving a large sum of fine.

It all starts from last year when Apple filed a lawsuit against a Chinese display monitor company named Proview Technology in China. Surprisingly, Apple lost the trademark lawsuit and has recently appealed to the Higher People’s Court of Guandong province. However, the case is still under trial, and if Apple loses again, Apple might have to pay as much as 2.4 billion yuan ($380 million US), and could be prohibited from selling or marketing its tablet under the name “iPad” in China. There are also rumors that Apple might negotiate with Proview to take over iPad trademark…

What Proview’s Lawyers Said

You may want to hear what the lawyers are saying about the trademark dispute between Apple and Proview. Xie Xianghui, a lawyer representing Proview Shenzhen said,

“We are asking the court to order Apple to stop selling and marketing the iPad in China. We also demand an apology,”

What’s more, according to Xie, Proview have also filed lawsuits against Apple’s authorized retailers and stores in local courts. The Chinese company is even planning to ask for 10 billion yuan in compensation from Apple.

Xiao Caiyuan, another lawyer representing Proview, told the Global Times that although Apple has appealed the court’s ruling, the technology giant would probably lose the appeal again…

“We have prepared well for a long-term legal battle,” Xiao said.

Well, here’s what we think. The trademark dispute between Apple and Proview must come to an end as soon as possible, if the legal battle continues, Apple might face a huge problem on selling its upcoming “iPad 3″ in China.

Source: Sina Tech, The Global Times