Chinese technology company Proview “legal registrant of the iPad trademark” government official says

A senior official with China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce said Tuesday that Proview Technology is the rightful owner of the iPad trademark, Reuters reports.

“According to the … provisions of the China Trademark Law, currently Shenzhen Proview is the legal registrant of the iPad trademark,” Fu Shuangjian, a deputy director of SAIC, was quoted as saying at a news conference in Beijing.

This comment was the first from a government official, and could indicate how a Chinese court will rule in the matter.  Proview’s lawyer told Reuters on Monday that the firm is still negotiating with Apple’s lawyers but talks have not led to a decision.

Read the full story at Reuters.