Apple could pay $1.5b to Proview over iPad name

Apple’s iPad moniker is probably not the most unique name around and we can’t say that we were surprised when we found out that Apple would not be allowed to use the iPad name in China. If you have been following that particular story, you’re probably aware that the reason behind this is because a company called Proview had already trademarked the iPad name. Now it looks like Apple may be forced to pay a $1.5 billion fine to Proview as compensation.

Apple had originally tried to sue Proview for using the name, claiming that the company had used it illegally. As it turns out, it would appear that Proview trademarked the iPad name way back in 2000 in a number of countries, China include. This was a good 10 years before Apple even came up with the iPad, so from a layman’s point of view, it appears that Proview had dibs on the name.

However it appears to be a bit more complicated than that. Proview sold the iPad trademark to a company back in 2006 without realizing that the company was connected to Apple. They then tried to argue that the trademark they sold did not include the Chinese rights to the name, but Apple argued otherwise. At the end of the day the Chinese courts rejected Apple’s lawsuit and now Proview is asking Apple for 10 billion yuan (~$1.5 billion) in compensation for copyright infringement.

Unless Apple can come to some sort of licensing agreement or settlement with Proview, there is a chance that if you wanted to buy Apple’s iPad in China, you might have to ask for it under a different name.