Apple Offers Proview $16 Million for iPad Trademark?
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Posted May 10, 2012 at 12:22pm by iClarified
Apple has reportedly offered Proview 16 million to settle its battle over the iPad trademark in China, reports TNW.
A report shared by Sina (via the Beijing Times) states that Apple offered 100 million yuan ($16 million) for rights to the mark in China but cash-strapped Proview would not agree terms. Proview is thought to be looking for at least 400 million yuan ($63 million) in order to appease its creditors, eight of which are Chinese banks.
Proview was looking for $2 billion in compensation from Apple in its U.S. lawsuit; however, that suit was recently dismissed.
With creditors breathing down its neck, Proview is likely feeling the pressure to settle as soon as possible.
I don't get how a company accuses the other of stealing proprietary ideas may that be in the form of patents or copy rights over an item or name and wait years for them to claim their case and the courts don't take that into consideration that it's obvious they waited till lots of money was made by the accused company so then they'll sue. To me that's sounds like using the courts to commit extortion. If you wait too long to sue then the damage that you claim couldn't have been that severe since there was no urgency on the matter. It's just my opinion.
Actually, if I was Apple I'd take a different tact. Simply renaming the name of the iPad (in China only) to something like "iThingie", pointing out to everyone that it's a ridiculous position, that it's hurting China's image and making them a laughingstock of the world, while not making a hill of beans to Apple itself. Apple already has the rights to the iPad name throughout the rest of the world. If they have to change the name in China... as they say, "An apple by any other name, tastes as sweet" (to completely screw up famous quotes!)