Chinese Authorities and Retailers Removing iPads from Sale Over Trademark Issues?

Last week, we offered an update on the ongoing trademark dispute in China between Apple and Proview Technology, which claims to have held ownership of the "iPad" trademark there since 2000. Apple is said to be facing a potential fine of approximately $38 million from the government while Proview is seeking as much as $1.6 billion in damages.

chinese authorities seized ipads
Chinese authorities examining seized iPads

According to new reports from DigiCha (via The Next Web) and China.com.cn [Google translation] , authorities have begun taken steps related to the trademark issue, confiscating iPads discovered in retailers' shops while other retailers move proactively to remove the devices from display in order to prevent their stocks from being seized. DigiCha reports:

Apparently as a result of the Proview iPad trademark infringement verdict, some local Administrations of Industry and Commerce (AIC) have started to confiscate Apple ($AAPL) iPads they find on sale. The article claims that many stores and resellers have taken the products off their shelves to avoid discovery by authorities, but if you ask for an iPad you can still buy one.

China.com.cn notes that as of 5:00 PM yesterday authorities had seized 45 iPad 2 units from retailers, but it remains unclear whether the actions are part of an nationwide effort or if local authorities are acting on their own initiative to address the issue.

Apple believed that it had acquired the rights to the iPad trademark in China in an earlier $55,000 deal with Proview's parent company that also included European rights. But Proview's Chinese arm has argued that the Chinese rights could not have been part of the deal because those rights were not controlled by the parent company.

Apple lost a lawsuit challenging Proview's claim on the trademark late last year, and Proview is continuing to press its infringement case against Apple.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...

Top Rated Comments

183 months ago
The Chinese government cracking down on Apple for trademark infringement? Please. When did the Chinese government start respecting copyrights/trademarks/patents as China is full of bootleg products?

How much will China lose in economic activity if Apple left the country?
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alphaod Avatar
183 months ago
Sounds more like some local government is using the opportunity to take iPads for their own use. I wouldn't be surprised.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
183 months ago

How much will China lose in economic activity if Apple left the country?

Unfortunately, I think Apple needs China more than China needs Apple.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
183 months ago
sounds like a good old fashion shake down to me
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
183 months ago
The Chinese government cracking down on Apple for trademark infringement? Please. When did the Chinese government start respecting copyrights/trademarks/patents as China is full of bootleg products?

How much will China lose in economic activity if Apple left the country?

Exactly. This is so flippin' lame. China is, without a doubt, the single largest nation of copyright, trademark, and content counterfeiters in the world. They don't realize a stable and growing capitalistic society is based on strong property rights. When property rights are arbitrarily enforced or ignored, it really cuts back on people wanting to invest in that country.

Foxconn is moving production to Brazil. If this type of crap continues in China, companies will stop manufacturing and/or doing business in China. It don't matter how lucrative the Chinese market is if they can arbitrarily pull this kind of crap on you. It's like Venezuela. Anybody left out there who wants to invest in Venezuela where your business could be nationalized on a whim? I think not.

There are many other emerging economies and markets like Brazil, India, Eastern Europe, etc.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robecq Avatar
183 months ago




Communists.

Actually China is behaving more and more like a corporation....
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)