A potentially costly dispute over the name of the iPad computer tablet may not be the only trademark problem facing Apple Incorporated in China. The China Daily newspaper reports Monday that at least 39 Chinese companies and individuals have attempted to register the names iPhone or iPad as trademarks for products as varied as hiking shoes, veterinary drugs and diapers. The newspaper says six manufacturers, including a flashlight manufacturer, got as far as preliminary approval before their applications were challenged.
The disclosure comes as a dispute over the iPad name has led authorities in several cities to seize the hand-held computers from Chinese retailers, threatening iPad sales in the world's largest computer market and, potentially, Apple's ability to export the tablets from the country where they are made.