US computer giant Apple has been told to consider a private settlement with Proview Technology (Shenzhen), the bankrupt computer display maker, before the Guangdong Higher People's Court hands down a final ruling on their dispute over the iPad trademark on the mainland.
The court heard an appeal yesterday launched by Apple against Proview. Its verdict will be used as a guideline for lower level local courts. At the end of yesterday's hearing the judge asked Proview Technology and Apple to consider settling out of court.
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences researcher Li Shunde, who specialises in intellectual property rights law, said the verdict in the Guangdong court would normally be final. However, Apple could pursue a retrial through the Supreme People's Court in Beijing if it argued exceptional conditions, such as an extremely flawed verdict.
A lawyer representing Apple told the court yesterday that the value of its iPad trademarks would not be so high today without its careful marketing and product development, and mainland consumers had established a sole relationship with the iPad as a renowned Apple product.
'If the court grants the iPad's trademarks to Proview, this will confuse and hurt consumers' interests,' the lawyer said.
