The Chinese company that claims it owns the iPad trademark says it plans to seek a ban on iPad exports out of China, threatening global supplies.
According to what a lawyer for Proview Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd told Reuters, the firm is petitioning Chinese customs to stop shipments of the tablet in and out of China. Customs has reportedly not responded to the request.
A Chinese court last year found Proview owned the trademark. Apple, which claims it bought global rights to the name from Proview a few years ago, appealed and a final hearing is now set for February 29, Reuters said.
Apple says a Hong Kong court supported its position, but that apparently doesn't mean much.
Some cities in China have reportedly told local resellers to stop selling iPads.
The Proview lawyer told Reuters Apple wasn't currently negotiating with Proview.
Apparently Proview is suing Apple seeking up to $1.6 billion in compensation.