Apple files Apple iPad design with China's Patent and Trademark Office

Looking to avoid a repeat of last year's battle in China with Proview over the use of the iPad name, Apple filed with China's Patent and Trademark Office to register the design of its tablet. Two designs, one in black and white and the other in color, were submitted under International Class 009. This is a patent classification covering computers, peripherals, digital electronic devices and other IT-related products.

Apple is looking to make the country its number one market, a goal that CEO Tim Cook recently said would happen soon. Toward that goal, Apple has started helping Chinese consumers finance the purchase of the Apple iPhone from its online store. and there are hopes that the meeting earlier this month between Cook and China Mobile will lead to a deal for Apple to sell its phone through the world's largest carrier in the world's largest market.

Last July, Apple paid Proview $60 million for the rights to the iPad name in China. When Apple purchased the rights to the name from Proview's Taiwan branch prior to the world-wide launch of the device, the company did not know that this division did not own the rights to the name on the mainland. After a prolonged legal battle that briefly found its way into the U.S. legal system, the settlement was finally reached.

source: PatentlyApple via AppleInsider