Apple accuses proview of 'misleading chinese courts' over ipad name - Siren Strobe Light

In its most detailed public statement regarding the ongoing ProviewiPad trademark dispute, Apple on Tuesday said that the Chinesecompany is purposely misleading courts in order to recoup massivedebt and stave off impatient creditors. A prepared statement read by Apple spokesperson Carolyn Wu allegesthat Proview International Holding Ltd. fashioned the sale of theiPad name so that ownership of the Chinese trademark could later bequestioned in court, and accuses the Hong Kong-based company of unfairly seeking more money for thesame transaction, reports the Wall Street Journal . "Proview clearly made that arrangement so they wouldn't have togive the money to their creditors in" mainland China, Wu said."Because they still owe a lot of people a lot of money, they arenow unfairly trying to get more from Apple for a trademark wealready paid for." Proview's Shenzhen arm, which is asserting ownership of thetrademark, has accrued an estimated $400 million in debt afterbeing part of a lucrative display-manufacturing business. At its peak Proview had 18,000employees under its purview, though the global financial crisis hasslowly edged the company toward bankruptcy. Smart Cards Access Control

Apple purchased the rights to the "iPAD" moniker in 2009 through aTaiwan affiliate of Proview, with the contract covering trademarksregistered in a number of countries including two in China. At thetime, the name was technically owned by Proview's Shenzhensubsidiary, Proview Technology Shenzhen Co. Wu claims that Apple was urged to purchase the rights, but "didn'tknow the reasons at the time" as to why the deal had to be madethrough Proview's Taiwan affiliate. In October 2010, Proview threatened to take legal action against Apple, claiming that the 2009 "globaltrademark" agreement did not include China. The Chinese companywent on to pursue litigation against Apple in multiple courts,including a suit in California , claiming that it still owned the name. Siren Strobe Light

Making the matter more confusing are fraud and unfair competition allegations from Proview claiming that Apple conducted its fair share ofchicanery in buying the trademark through a U.K.-based proxy company for a reported $55,000. Proview's attorney Xiao Caiyuan denies Apple's Tuesday claims andbelieves the computer giant knew exactly what it was doing. "The fact is that Apple's former lawyer made a silly mistake," Xiaosaid. "Proview still thinks both sides can solve the dispute bypeaceful talks." The case continues to drag on in the shadow of the release ofApple's newest iPad , and is currently being argued in China's high court in Guangdong. Remote Control Door Lock Receiver