iPad 2 Removed From Retailers, Seized by Chinese Authorities Over Trademark Issues

iPads are reportedly being removed from shelves in China due to a trademark dispute between Apple and ProView, who claims to have owned the “iPad” trademark in China since 2001. Apple currently faces a fine of around $38 million, and ProView is seeking $1.5 billion in damages due to Apple’s use of the iPad name.

 The iPads have reportedly been seized by Chinese authorities, reports DigiCha (via The Next Web). According to the report, authorities are confiscating iPads found in retail shops, while other retailers are removing devices from shelves before their stock is seized:

Apparently as a result of the Proview iPad trademark infringement verdict, some local Administrations of Industry and Commerce (AIC) have started to confiscate Apple ($AAPL) iPads they find on sale. The article claims that many stores and resellers have taken the products off their shelves to avoid discovery by authorities, but if you ask for an iPad you can still buy one.

China.com.cn states that authorities had seized as many as 45 iPads from retailers as of 5:00 PM yesterday, although it’s unclear whether the seizures are being enacted on a local or national level.

Apple recently lost a lawsuit against ProView over the claim, and ProView is continuing to pursue its ongoing legal case against Apple. Considering that ProView has never actively used the trademark (at least not within the past decade), the move seems to be mostly an attempt to grab money from Apple.