Apple defends its right to use iPad name in China

It's been a big day for Apple in China.

The world's most valuable company — and America's hottest brand — defended its right to use the iPad name at the Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Court.

Yes, it's a big deal when a company faces a legal challenge to its fastest-selling product.

But it's an ever bigger deal when that challenge happens to be in China, the world's fastest-growing market.

As Macro readers know from our ongoing coverage of the story, Apple was sued by a small Chinese firm Proview International, which claims that it owns the rights to the iPad name in China. 

Proview has had some success against Apple in the dispute: Chinese authorities have seized iPads from some retailers, and iPad sales have been blocked in several smaller Chinese cities. 

On Tuesday, Apple sent a nasty letter to Proview's chairman (read it here in both Mandarin and English).

Apple also put out this statement:

"We bought Proview’s worldwide rights to the iPad trademark in 10 different countries several years ago. Proview refuses to honor their agreement with Apple in China and a Hong Kong court has sided with Apple in this matter. Our case is still pending in mainland China.” 

So how did it go in court Wednesday?

We don't know yet.

The local judge didn't make a ruling, or say anything publically about how the dispute might be resolved.

For more from Thomas Mucha on Twitter: Follow @thomaswmucha