Feb 23 - The Asian firm trying to stop Apple Inc from using the iPad name has now launched an attack on the consumer electronics giant's home turf, filing a lawsuit in California that accuses the iPhone-maker of employing deception when it bought the "iPad" trademark.
Chinese manufacturer Proview's claims of trademark infringement led some stores to pull Apple's iPad from shelves. However the court's most recent ruling is an indication that it will be difficult for Proview to receive what it truly wants, a full ban of the product in China.
China's customs division told Proview CEO Yang-Long-san a block on Apple's products will not happen because of how popular they have become in the country and the benefits the strong sales have in the nation.
However, Proview continues to file claims against Apple to make the iPad maker's road to dominance in China as difficult as possible, and is now looking to bring its case to other countries as well.
"We bought Proview's worldwide rights to the iPad trademark in 10 different countries several years ago," an Apple representative said to CNET. "Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China."
