Talks proposed in dispute over iPad name in China

A legal row over the use of the iPad name in China could be settled by out-of-court talks.

Apple was sued by electronics firm Proview over the name that the Chinese manufacturer registered as a trademark more than a decade ago.

Apple acquired the the worldwide rights to use the name iPad in 2009 from Proview.

But the Chinese firm sued, saying that the deal did not cover use of the name in mainland China.

The case came to court in Guangdong in late February amid fears that the row would force a temporary halt to the manufacture of Apple's popular tablet computer.

Now officials from the court are seeking to bring the two sides together to thrash out an agreement rather than issue orders to disrupt iPad production.

"It is likely that we will settle out of court," said Ma Dongxiao, head of Proview's legal team.

He said Proview had always wanted to settle the dispute without going to court, and the only sticking point now was the price it expected Apple to pay.

What is not yet clear is whether Apple is willing to meet Proview to thrash out a settlement.

In a statement provided to the AP news wire, Apple said it had no comment on whether it would settle.

It repeated that it would never "knowingly abuse someone else's trademarks".

Apple's statement concluded that Proview "still owe a lot of people a lot of money, they are now unfairly trying to get more from Apple for a trademark we already paid for".