May aid Proview in settlement talks

Chinese government officials are currently siding with Proview in the company's iPad trademark dispute with Apple, reports suggest. The Associated Press quotes Yan Xiaohong, deputy director of the National Copyright Administration, as saying that the government considers Proview Shenzhen to be the rightful owner of the trademark. The Wall Street Journal meanwhile cites Fu Shuangjian -- the deputy director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce -- as having a slightly different perspective.

"Currently, Proview Shenzhen is still the legitimate registered owner of the iPad trademark," says Fu. He adds, though, that the government is waiting for a final ruling from a Guangdong court, after which Industry and Commerce "will deal with the case according to law."

Apple and Proview are in the middle of settlement talks. The government's position could aid Proview, which needs the money from any settlement or court victory to pay off some $400 million in debts. Apple, in turn, may be willing to pay a large amount to ensure it can keep selling iPads in China.

By Electronista Staff

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industry, China, politics, trademarks, Apple, iPad, Proview