Apple allowed to sell iPad till final verdict in China

A local court today allowed sale of popular mobile device Apple iPad in China, where the US-based tech giant is locked in legal battle over iPad trademark, till a final verdict is given.

Local company Proview Technology (Shenzhen), has claimed the ownership of the iPad trademark in China and has petitioned to the court to immediately ban sale of Apple iPad. It alleged Apple's product infringes on its rights.

The Pudong New District People's Court said that until a court in the Guangdong province hands down the verdict, it cannot be concluded that Apple's use of the iPad trademark is an act of infringement, state run Xinhua news agency reported.
There has been lengthy legal battle between the two over the iPad trademark. In the recent weeks, Chinese officials even began pulling out iPads from Apple stores.
Apple Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, which runs three retail stores in Shanghai, asked the court to reject Proview's request pending a final verdict on the ownership of the trademark in China.

Apple has brought a suit to the Higher People's Court of Guangdong province, accusing Proview Shenzhen of infringing on the iPad trademark. A hearing is scheduled to be held on Feburary 29.