Proview tries to block iPads from coming in or going out of China

9to5 Staff | Feb 14 2012 - 6:33 am PT

Not content with officials yesterday confiscating iPads in Shijiazhuang over an ongoing litigation on the iPad moniker, Taiwanese company Proview Electronics is now looking to put a ban on both iPad imports and exports, according to Reuters. The company is already petitioning Chinese customs to stop shipments of iPads. Proview sued Apple last year over its “I-PAD” trademark and could seek up to $1.5 billion for the name from the Cupertino, Calif.-headquartered gadget powerhouse.

Apple is in an increasingly difficult place here. Considering every iPad is built in China (until Brazil plants go online), a full-blown export ban could disrupt the iPad business on a global scale. Proview’s legal position stems from Chinese laws that seek to prevent the sale of counterfeit goods in the country. The news gathering organization confirmed the development this morning:

A Chinese tech firm claiming to own the “iPad” trademark plans to seek a ban on shipments of Apple Inc’s computer tablets into and out of China, a lawyer for the company, Proview Technology (Shenzhen), said on Tuesday.

Proview also asked the country’s Administration Industry and Commerce to put in effect iPad confiscations in as much as 30 cities. Apple’s position in this dispute remains unchanged as a spokesperson re-iterated the official line:

We bought Proview’s worldwide rights to the iPad trademark in 10 different countries several years ago. Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China and a Hong Kong court has sided with Apple in this matter.

Apple’s woes began last October when Proview accused them of trademark infringement over the “iPad” moniker. As Proview’s chairperson threatened to sue Apple for damages in both the United States and China, the iPad maker was busy quietly purchasing the global rights to the trademark. However, when Apple moved to get the rights in China through a lawsuit, Shenzhen-based Intermediate People’s Court rejected the lawsuit and made Proview the rightful owner until Apple appeals the decision or settles with Proview outside of court. Proview took the game to the next level and blocked iPad sales by suing resellers in Southern China, and it threatened to go after other Apple resellers throughout China.