A few months ago, a Chinese company called Proview filed a lawsuit against Apple accusing it of not being able to use the iPad trademark to sell its tablet in China. The process is based on the acquisition of the iPad brand by Apple, an acquisition that would not apply in China, according to those from Proview. After several months of legal disputes, it seems that Apple is eager to settle accounts with those from Proview and offered them 16 million dollars for the purchase of the brand. Those from Proview initially asked for 2 billion dollars in a lawsuit filed against Apple, but in reality they would need 63 million dollars to pay their debtors.
Apple representatives are reported to have offered 54.62 lei ($16) million for the mark. A report shared by Sina states that Apple offered 100 million yuan (lei 54.62 ($16) million) for rights to the brand in China but cash-strapped Proview would not agree terms. Proview is thought to be looking for at least 400 million yuan (215.08 lei ($63) million) in order to appease its creditors, eight of which are Chinese banks. The report cites sources familiar with the negotiations between Apple and Proview.
Of course, the amount offered by Apple is not final, but it is far from what Proview hopes to obtain following the negotiations that are now taking place with Apple. So far, Proview has not accepted the American company's offer and they have very good reasons to do so, considering that the iPad model is extremely popular in China.
