Apple Settles Chinese 'iPad' Trademark Dispute with Proview for $60 Million

MacRumors · Jul 1, 2012

Associated Press reports that Apple and Chinese company Proview Technology have reached a settlement deal that involves Apple paying $60 million for the rights to the "iPad" trademark in China.

"The iPad dispute resolution is ended," the Guangdong High People's Court said in a statement. "Apple Inc. has transferred $60 million to the account of the Guangdong High Court as requested in the mediation letter."

Proview began publicly objecting to Apple's use of the iPad name in late 2010, with the situation eventually escalating to see Proview demanding bans on iPad sales in the country and up to $2 billion in compensation.

Settlement talks initiated earlier this year reportedly saw Apple offering $16 million to settle the case, but Proview was apparently holding out for a $400 million settlement that could save the company as it seeks to reorganize under bankruptcy.

Apple argued in several court cases that it had acquired the Chinese rights to the iPad name in late 2009 as part of a deal with Proview's Taiwanese arm. That deal, brokered by Apple dummy corporation IP Application Development, reportedly saw the rights to the name transferred in a number of markets around the globe for just $55,000. Proview later claimed that the Chinese rights to the trademark were owned by its Chinese subsidiary and that the Taiwanese arm consequently could not have sold them to Apple.

Article Link: Apple Settles Chinese 'iPad' Trademark Dispute with Proview for $60 Million

brayhite · Jul 1, 2012

Now if only these Samsung lawsuits were as simple as $60 million.

I'd "settle" for $60 million, as well.

Lil Chillbil · Jul 1, 2012

well thats great for apple

ArchaicRevival · Jul 1, 2012

Someone just got awfully rich. I wish I came up with that name lol

lol On a serious note, the last line says it all. Proview tried to find a loophole to kill a cash cow, and Apple lawyers said 'not on our watch you're not!'

KPOM · Jul 1, 2012

$60 million is a lot for a trademark troll. I'm guessing Apple will do its due diligence a bit better the next time it acquires a "worldwide" trademark from another company through a surrogate.

Born Again · Jul 1, 2012

I still think the iPad is a stupid name for the device.

Dont tell me you didn't laugh when jobs pulled out the iPad and it looked like an oversized iPhone.

Kaibelf · Jul 1, 2012

Drop dead and ROT Proview.

----------

Radio said:
I still think the iPad is a stupid name for the device.

Dont tell me you didn't laugh when jobs pulled out the iPad and it looked like an oversized iPhone.

I personally didn't, because as an adult I have a pad of paper on my desk at all times.

chirpie · Jul 1, 2012

Radio said:
I still think the iPad is a stupid name for the device.

Dont tell me you didn't laugh when jobs pulled out the iPad and it looked like an oversized iPhone.

Well, um, not really.

shartypants · Jul 1, 2012

No wonder Proview is bankrupt, they are a bunch of idiots.

irDigital0l · Jul 1, 2012

Apple just needs to look under its couch for $60 million change.

Then when the new iPhone comes out, it replaces this in about the first hour.

Macman1993 · Jul 1, 2012

shartypants said:
No wonder Proview is bankrupt, they are a bunch of idiots.

Idiots? They just got $60 Million for something they already sold, genius is more like it.

brand · Jul 1, 2012

shartypants said:
No wonder Proview is bankrupt, they are a bunch of idiots.

There not, they have $60,000,000.

StrudelTurnover · Jul 1, 2012

I'm glad I study Asia-Pacific commerce. This will make a great case example.

Proview later claimed that the Chinese rights to the trademark were owned by its Chinese subsidiary and that the Taiwanese arm consequently could not have sold them to Apple.

The One China policy is also different from the "One China" principle (一個中國原則/"一个中国"原則), which is the principle that insists both Taiwan and mainland China are inalienable parts of a single "China".[3]

FrankHahn · Jul 1, 2012

I am glad that the case has been finally settled.

I hope that Apple will not transfer the burden of $60 millions onto its customers in China!

cvaldes · Jul 1, 2012

Radio said:
I still think the iPad is a stupid name for the device.

Dont tell me you didn't laugh when jobs pulled out the iPad and it looked like an oversized iPhone.

Nice troll.

iZac · Jul 1, 2012

Well at least this paves the way for the new iPad to make an official appearance in the ROC now! Hong Kong better reduce their shipments now they're not serving iPad orders for the entire of mainland China.

Rocketman · Jul 1, 2012

Since the court and the country are one in the same, I wonder how much of the $60m they keep?

lzyprson · Jul 1, 2012

brand said:
There not, they have $60,000,000.

Preview is in debt to its creditors by $400million. Now they're in debt $340Million.

They are in fact still broke and shouldn't have gotten anymore than 50k from apple. Oh well. At least it's settled.

FlameofAnor · Jul 1, 2012

Macman1993 said:
Idiots? They just got $60 Million for something they already sold, genius is more like it.

Hardly, they owe their creditors $400 million. Guess who's getting that money?

Proview will shortly cease to exist...... Apple just expedited their demise.

jav6454 · Jul 1, 2012

brand said:
There not, they have $60,000,000.

They still require another $340 Million to stop their bankruptcy...

In any case, Apple, has become quick to settle lawsuits (after Steve's death) and has opted for the easy, pay-my-way-out, instead of going-nuclear alternative.

I wonder if Tim is thinking much into the future by avoiding current hassles.

iMikeT · Jul 1, 2012

Apple paying these bozos any amount of money is an outrage, an outrage, I tell you, an outrage!

Yeah, I know that Apple can more than afford it but these clowns at Proview made a deal to give up the iPad trademark long before the iPad's release and therefore really don't have a claim to it now. The original deal should have sealed it long ago and these guys deserve nothing.

$60 million because they feel shafted after the iPad's success and for this to go away on Apple's end, pluh-ese!

bretm · Jul 1, 2012

Radio said:
I still think the iPad is a stupid name for the device.

Dont tell me you didn't laugh when jobs pulled out the iPad and it looked like an oversized iPhone.

Nah, but I did laugh when the note looked like an oversized iPhone.

BC2009 · Jul 1, 2012

Radio said:
I still think the iPad is a stupid name for the device.

Dont tell me you didn't laugh when jobs pulled out the iPad and it looked like an oversized iPhone.

I didn't laugh.

iMikeT · Jul 1, 2012

FlameofAnor said:
Hardly, they owe their creditors $400 million. Guess who's getting that money?

Proview will shortly cease to exist...... Apple just expedited their demise.

Bottom line is that Apple could have used that $60 million in other ways, like building a factory in the USA.

jav6454 said:
They still require another $340 Million to stop their bankruptcy...

In any case, Apple, has become quick to settle lawsuits (after Steve's death) and has opted for the easy, pay-my-way-out, instead of going-nuclear alternative.

Apple should have gone through with burying these opportunists and left them owing that $60 million.

SoGood · Jul 1, 2012

Just glad it's over on a most boring subject matter. Move on everyone!

Apple Settles Chinese 'iPad' Trademark Dispute with Proview for $60 Million

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