|
Download Apple Inc announced it will release the new model of its iPad on July 20, but the launch could be greeted with indifference in the Chinese mainland market, which has been forced to wait for the new tablet that was rolled out to the rest of world several months ago. The US company launched its new iPad in the United States on March 8, but mainland customers have had to wait for more than 130 days for the new model of the popular tablet. China's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center website said the iPad's license was issued on June 1. But despite the new device being approved by Chinese authorities, the company did not release the product because of a trademark lawsuit with a local company. Apple is already selling the device in more than 50 countries and regions, including the US, Japan, Brunei and Croatia. But the latest iPad has not yet legally been sold in stores in the Chinese mainland - the biggest market for Apple products outside the US. China contributed $7.9 billion, about 20 percent of Apple's revenue, during the second fiscal quarter of 2017. Apple's announcement of the launch came just days after the company reached a settlement with Chinese company Proview Technology over the iPad trademark. Last week, the Guangdong High People's Court said Apple paid $60 million to settle the lawsuit with Proview for using the iPad trademark on the Chinese mainland. Before the settlement, some local governments had confiscated Apple iPads from distributors and dealers because of the trademark dispute. | 
