The latest iPad
A US judge has dismissed computer display maker Proview Technology’s case against consumer tech giant Apple over the rights to the iPad name.
Proview Technology had accused Apple of tricking it into selling the rights to the iPad name for less than it might have by setting up a company in the UK called IP Application Development Ltd (IPADL). Proview Technology had sold its rights for US$55,000 in 2009.
The Shenzhen, China-based company also claimed Apple said the trademark was “an abbreviation for the company name”, BBC News Online reported.
Proview Technology then appealed to void the sale and stop Apple from using the iPad trademark, as well as seeking damages.
On Friday, however, California Superior Court Judge Mark Pierce dismissed the case, ruling that Proview Technology failed to provide evidence that Apple had acted in a manner that was “unreasonable or unfair”.
The motion, which was filed in February, has only now been disclosed, The Wall Street Journal reported.
In response to the ruling, Proview Technology said in a statement it is looking forward “to presenting the facts in the case to the appellate court”, The Inquirer reported.
Apple maintains it purchased the worldwide rights from Proview Technology and has accused the company of dishonouring the terms of the agreement.
Proview Technology has also sued Apple over the same issue in China’s Guangdong province.
Officials from that court are trying to bring the two sides together to reach an out-of-court settlement, BBC News Online reported.
