Apple could be facing an iPad production crisis after a Chinese company, which claims to own the iPad trademark, asked customs officials could block shipments of in and out of the country.
With China a major manufacturing base for all Apple products, the move could wreck global sales of the product. The threat stems from a long-running dispute between Apple and electronics firm Proview Technology over ownership of the iPad name, according to reports.
Last year, Proview won an initial judgement in a mainland Chinese court, which Apple appealed against. But now Proview’s lawyers say they will request a ban on all iPad imports and exports.
Apple said in a statement: “We bought Proview’s worldwide rights to the iPad trademark in 10 different countries several years ago. Proview refuses to honour their agreement with Apple in China and a Hong Kong court has sided with Apple in this matter. Our case is still pending in mainland China.”
Proview claims it holds rights to the iPad trademark in China after registering two iPad trademarks in the country, which were not included in the agreement.
The dispute has intensified amid reports that the Apple iPad 3 will be released on March 7. Speculation is rife that the next-generation machine will have improved cameras, increased storage capacity and feature Apple’s voice-controlled personal assistant, Siri.
