A court in southern China has rejected a lawsuit by Apple that accuses a Chinese technology company of infringing its iPad trademark, reports “Reuters” (http://macte.ch/tclid).

In the lawsuit over the use of the iPad name, the Intermediate People’s Court in the southern boomtown of Shenzhen rejected Apple’s complaint against Proview Technology (Shenzhen). The court said Proview lawfully registered the iPad trademark as long ago as 2000 for products in a number of countries, including China.

“The right to use the iPad name in China is crucial for Apple, where the company is in the process of opening more stores,” “Reuters” adds. “Executives have said they have just scratched the surface in China in terms of sales.”