Apple Launching New iPad in Second-Biggest Market

Now that Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) long-drawn iPad trademark case has finally been settled, the company is making preparations to start selling the third generation of its tablet in China. According to Chinese blog PC Pop, the new iPad’s China launch could come as early as on July 27. Apple paid Taiwan-based Proview $60 million to settle the trademark argument between the two that had continued in court for months. The California company announced the debut of its new device in March this year, but had been unable to start selling it in what is now its second largest market.

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Apple has already cleared several regulatory hurdles that are required before putting the device on store shelves in the country, and received government approval to start selling the tablet in May. The court case was the only block that had remained.

Apple has traditionally waited out before launching its products in China and made prospective customers pine for almost three months before letting them order the iPhone 4S earlier this year. Last quarter, Apple sold more than 35 million iPhones and 12 million iPads worldwide, with China being an important contributor. Chief executive Tim Cook said China sales growth had been “mind-boggling,” and that the country accounted for 20 percent of the company’s global revenue.

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