Apple Faces $38 Million Fine For Using The Word “iPad”
Apple is usually the one firmly behind the trigger when lawsuits connected to patent and trademark infringements are filed in connection with its products. But this time, Apple finds itself firmly in the cross hairs of a lawsuit. A Taiwanese company is claiming Apple violates its trademark by continuously using the term “iPad” and is planning to file a lawsuit seeking $38 million in damages.
Proview Technology (Shenzhen), a unit of Proview International in Hong Kong, is claiming that it bought the trademark to the term “iPad” four years before Apple launched the iPad. The extent of the trademark is being questioned with many experts claiming that the trademark claim being made doesn’t extend as far as China. Regardless of this sentiment though, Proview is pressing forward with its plans to sue Apple.
If precedent is anything to go by Apple may end losing this latest battle. Proview sued Apple last December for $1.6 billion and a Chinese court ruled in its favour. Apple is appealing that decision but it now looks certain that this latest suit will go against it too.
The complicated world of trademarks and jurisdiction is once again taking the spotlight, and this latest saga involving Apple may very well come to define how the standards are enforced around the world. It may also establish the Chinese courts as an agent of international recourse against big US-based companies like Apple.
Do you think Apple will lose this latest battle? Share your thoughts below.
(Source: sitetrail.com)
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