Apple's trademark issue in China - new iPad maybe banned

Proview Technology, a Chinese company, which is fighting Apple over the iPad trademark in a major legal case, has now called for Chinese distributors to cease selling the tablet across the country, in the latest twist of this high profile battle.

Proview, which claims it owns the iPad name, filed a lawsuit against Apple's use of the trademark in mainland China at the Santa Clara Superior Court last month. It has previously tried to ban the sale of the tablet in China but to no avail. However, in a new attempt, the nearly bankrupt Proview, has sent an open letter to China’s technology supplies and resellers – asking them to stop storing and shipping the iPad as of today.
"Anybody who continues to do so will be seen as intentionally infringing rights and the company will adopt the most severe measures by taking legal action," the letter said.
An attempt by Proview to win an injunction to stop Apple from selling iPads in Shanghai was foiled last month when a court there rejected the case pending the resolution of a similar lawsuit in a higher court in China.

Apple and Proview are now awaiting a ruling by the high court in Guangzhou on the matter.