It's all about the money

Updated: 2012-02-22 16:22

By He Bolin (chinadaily.com.cn)

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The lawsuit between Apple and Proview Technology (Shenzhen) over the iPad trademark in China makes good reading, but like most business cases it all comes down to money, says an article in Wuhan Evening News. Excerpts:

Continuing to press its claim to the iPad name, Proview Technology (Shenzhen) recently held a news conference to explain how its trademark had been infringed upon. It even sent representatives to the US, claiming to sue for compensation of $2 billion.

None of this is news to Apple. The tech giant won the most recent legal round in Hong Kong, where a court found that Proview (Shenzhen) was trying to "take advantage" of the situation.

Despite the legal maneuvering, this case is really just about money. People are anxious to see whether Proview (Shenzhen), which has fallen on hard times, can force Apple to pay up for sloppy legal work establishing its trademark.

It is hard to believe that Apple would buy a trademark without vetting it thoroughly. For as it turns out, Apple (or a UK subsidiary) bought the trademark not from Proview (Shenzhen) but from Proview (Taiwan). And while both Proview (Shenzhen) and Proview (Taiwan) belong to the same owner, it was the Shenzhen company that owned the iPad trademark.

So, will one of the world's most successful companies admit its mistake and allow lowly Proview (Shenzhen) to teach it a lesson? The sage continues.