Apple pays $60M to settle iPad case

On February 14, I had blogged about the troubles Apple was having over the use of the "iPad" name in China. Later on March 7, I posted a blog on China's baffling trademark system.

Today, Apple has paid $60 million to settle a dispute in China over ownership of the iPad name. Apple's dispute with Shenzhen Proview Technology highlighted the possible pitfalls for global companies in China's infant trademark system. The outcome also reflects Chinese courts' preference for encouraging adversaries in commercial disputes to settle instead of pushing for a ruling.

The Bottom Line - The Apple case has once again highlighted the possible pitfalls for global companies in China's infant trademark system. It also highlights a tension within the communist government that wants to cling on to its protectionist practices and yet wants to attract technology investors to develop China's economy.