California-based iPad-maker Apple may be forced to issue an apology and pay a hefty fine of $38 million for the use of the name iPad in China, a new report reveals.

According to the Global Times, the news comes from a representative of Hong Kong-based Proview Electronics who said that the company is anticipating that aside from a demanded apology, Apple will have to pay them a $38-million fine for using the iPad name.

Proview previously owned the trademark for the term iPad but it was reportedly bought by Apple from the display maker in 2006 via a front company called IP Applications Development for $55,000, AppleInsider reports.

Nevertheless, Proview now claims that Apple does not have the right to promote any of its products using the iPad name in China as the Taiwanese company claims their previous agreement does not include the use of the name in the territory.

Furthermore, Proview is seeking a total of about $1.6 billion in damages from Apple, the publication reports.

Global Times quotes Proview lawyer Xie Xianghui saying “Proview made a formal complaint to the Xicheng administration in 2011 and they had planned to slap Apple with a 240 million yuan ($38 million) fine, but it was suspended after Apple’s objections.”

Apple may be forced to apologize and pay a fine of $38 million for using the iPad name in China. Image: oliverlindner / Flickr (CC)

Sources: Global Times, AppleInsider

About Solon Harmony Dolor

A passion for technology and journalism makes this upcoming writer very interested in social media and technology news. Fresh from finishing an English and Journalism degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, he aims to bring interesting news to our readers .