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Shanghai Proview

Now eight banks in China lay claim to the iPad trademark

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By Noel Young, Correspondent

March 8, 2012 | 2 min read

It's not always easy being Apple. Hard on the heels of the launch of the new iPad yesterday, came the news in Chinese media that a group of eight banks are claiming that THEY own the iPad trademark.

iPad: banks claim trademark

The eight banks are owed money by Proview Technology, the financially troubled Chinese firm which has been claiming that, when Apple bought iPad trademarks from a Taiwanese associated company, in 2009 - at a price of £35,000- it did not include the trademark in China itself.

Apple insists it bought worldwide rights.

Proview is now demanding a halt to sales and distribution of the tablet in China.

In an open letter to Chinese iPad dealers, Proview has now threatened "the most severe measures" against trademark infringements, including pursuing civil and criminal liability.

Some cities have already ordered iPads removed from from store shelves but last week in Shanghai - where three flagship Apple stores are based - a court refused to issue such an order. Apple also won a case in Hong Kong. A appeal by Apple is pending in another court.

In view of the low price paid for the trademark in the first place, some observers think a settlement is likely. Proview has made it clear it is ready to talk. Apple has not .

How much would a settlement cost? That is anybody's guess.

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