Role reversal: Apple accused of iPad patent infringement in China

Apple is being accused of patent infringement in China.

Yep, you read that correctly. China Daily reports that Proview Shenzhen Technology, a Chinese company based in the city of Shenzhen, has pointed the finger at Apple over the name “iPad.”

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“We ask the court to stop selling and marketing for Apple’s iPad in China. We also demand an apology,” Proview Technology attorney Xie Xianghui told China Daily.

Both companies claim iPad as a trademark, but Proview Shenzhen Technology says it has held the trademark since 2000 or 2001 and is asking for a cessation of iPad sales in China due to patent infringement, as well as a fine for damages.

The case is set to come before a district court in Shanghai this month. A similar suit in Beijing is asking for a fine of around $38 million, or 240 million yuan. Late last year, Apple lost a suit wherein it claimed patent infringement on the Chinese company’s part.

Representatives of Proview stated that Proview Taiwan, an affiliate of the Shenzhen company that did not have the legal right to represent the company in an IP transaction, sold the iPad trademark to IP Application Development, a UK company. Later, IP Application Development sold the iPad trademark to Apple, apparently unaware that the previous sale had not been authorized by the parent company.

Apple also recently launched the highly anticipated iPhone 4S in mainland China in what CEO Time Cook called Apple’s “fastest iPhone rollout ever.” However, the launch was fraught with drama when limited inventory led to unruly crowds.

Image courtesy of Stuart Jenner, Shutterstock