Display maker Proview, who sued Apple in China over the iPad name, seems to feel they have the device giant cornered. Proview has told The Times of India that it is ready to sit at the negotiating table, apparently telling Apple it has “peaceful intentions.”
The company wants money, is hoping for an out of court settlement, and it is shooting for as high as $2 billion for the I-PAD trademark in China. Legal representatives for the debt-laden company told the paper Tuesday: “We are now preparing for negotiations. The court cases will continue until we reach an agreement.”
A court in Shanghai will begin hearings tomorrow on whether Proview’s claims have any merit and the ruling could take months, Reuters reported. Whether or not Proview’s strategy works, that is anyone’s guess at this point. Apple is even threatening to sue Proview over “defamatory statements.” This highlights Apple’s unwillingness to engage in trademark licensing talks with the Chinese firm that recently filed for bankruptcy…
Apple appears to be pursuing an agressive legal strategy, so it’s unlikely the company will settle. In a letter to Proview, Apple’s lawyers warned, “It is inappropriate to release information contrary to the facts to the media, especially when such disclosures have the effect of wrongfully causing damage to Apple’s reputation.”
Apple is arguing that it purchased the worldwide rights to the iPad trademark in 10 different countries in 2009 from Proview’s Taiwanese affiliate for about $55,000. Apple is now accusing Proview of not honoring that agreement, noting that a Hong Kong court sided with Apple.