Reports are emerging from China that some authorities are starting to pull Apple iPad’s from store shelfs in certain locations around China. (We will be updating down below as the story unfolds.)

Chinese courts have just ruled that Apple is violating the iPad trademarked name, to whom the local monitor company Proview International owns the rights to.

The report comes from a chinese website named Hebei Youth Daily, and have provided the pictures below showing some documentation regarding the case.

The Chinese website claims that local Administrations of Industry and Commerce (AIC), have already begun to respond to the ruling by confiscating the Apple products from Apple stores and local outlets, where iPad tablets are sold.



Many store outlets nationwide have already stopped advertising the Apple iPad, in fear of authorities confiscating the highly desired Apple product. The reports go on to say that people can still buy an iPad in some stores, but customers are required to secretly ask for the tablet, to avoid advertising that the iPad is on sale.



Apple is appealing the courts decision, as Apple would be significantly affected if this ban were to be made official across the entire country. The reports are barely starting to come in but if this ban does go nationwide in China, it could cost Apple millions to overcome.

Update #1: According to Reuters, chinese authorities have now started to seize an unknown quantity of iPads in at least two more cities, Zhengzhou and Qingdao, China.

Proview, who owns the “iPad” trademarked name in China, says it has asked regulators in more than 40 cities across China to investigate Apple’s alleged trademark violation. Proview is also trying to stop iPad exports out of China, where the wildly popular tablet is produced.

What does Apple have to say about this?

Apple has stated before that they already have a deal with the monitor company, but ”Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China,” An Apple spokeswoman also mentioned this past week, “Our case is still pending in mainland China.”.

Update #2: According to Chinese news outlet Xinmin, The Pudong New Area People's Court has made the decision not to honor Proview's request for a ban on Apple iPad’s in China. The court States that while the Guangdong court case has yet to make a final decision on who owns the "iPad" trademark, there wasn't enough evidence on Proview's side to honor an injunction.

Proview has quickly responded to the courts decision by bring the battle state side. The Chinese company has now filed a lawsuit against Apple in Santa Clara County, California. Proview alleges deception in Apple's purchase of the iPad trademark.

*Make sure to bookmark this page, we will update you as more news emerges.

Source: Hebei Youth Daily (Chinese)
Via: DigiCha

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