Apple’s trademark dispute with Proview over the iPad name continues to drag on, with some industry insiders even saying that the ongoing dispute is the reason why the newest iPad is yet to go on sale in China. Now, the AP reports that a senior official in China has said that Apple runs the risk of losing the right to use the iPad trademark in China. Yan Xiaohong, deputy director of the National Copyright Administration, spoke to reporters in Beijing, and told them that the Chinese government considers Shenzen Proview Technology to be the rightful owner of the iPad trademark. The AP says that the official’s controversial comments could well be an attempt by the Chinese government to pressure Apple into settling the dispute, which is currently before the Guangdong High Court in southern China. Ma Dongxiao, a lawyer acting on behalf of Proview, said that Proview had always expected to settle with Apple out of court. “It is likely that we will settle out of court. The Guangdong High Court is helping to arrange it and the court also expects to do so,†Ma told the AP. Will be interesting to see who blinks first.
Source: China official says Proview owns iPad trademark - Yahoo! Finance
via 9to5 Mac