Firm tries to block iPad on mainland

BEIJING -A Shenzhen-based enterprise claiming ownership of the iPad trademark in China is calling on customs authorities to bar the export and import of Apple's iPad 3.

Proview Technology Shenzhen holds the trademark it registered in 2001, according to the official website of China's trademark authority, while the technology company Apple argued it bought the name from Proview Taiwan, which is associated with but still a separate entity from the Shenzhen company.

"We plan to file the complaints to customs by the end of this month and ask for an embargo on the import and export of the iPad," said Xie Xianghui, a lawyer representing Proview Technology Shenzhen. "We are asking for the ban especially for the iPad 3."