Hong Kong iPad Trademark Verdict Leaked

<- February 17, 2012 ->

Sina Tech, 2/17/12

A PDF copy of a verdict from a Hong Kong court which backs Apple in its trademark dispute involving the iPad product was leaked online today. Online sources say that e-mails containing correspondence from 2009 between Apple and tech employees with Proview (0334.HK) have also been leaked.

In his ruling, Hong Kong judge Hon Poon found Proview, which currently seeks USD 10 mln in compensation from Apple, to be in violation of an agreement between the two companies, at the same time finding Proview's actions to be driven by the company's dire current financial situation. The court ruled that Proview's refusal to comply with its obligation to hand over the mainland China rights for the "iPad" trademark constitutes a violation of the two companies' agreements.

Editor's Note: Proview has issued a statement saying that it currently holds liabilities of RMB 2.87 bln in addition to RMB 3.8 bln in overdue unpaid loans and approximately RMB 1.15 bln owed to eight different banks, including Bank of China. For more background on this topic, please see "Update: Apple Appeals iPad Trademark Lawsuit" MD 1/30/12 issue.

Keywords: hardware trademark Apple Proview iPad 0334.HK law litigation tablet computer