THE Chinese company challenging Apple's use of the iPad name has demanded a halt to sales and distribution of the device on China's mainland, just as Apple unveiled its latest version of the popular tablet computer.

Proview Technology (Shenzhen) issued the demand in an open letter, threatening "severe measures" against trademark infringements.

The letter, reported in Chinese newspapers yesterday, says any use of "IPAD" or similar trademarks is an infringement of Proview's exclusive rights. It says Proview will take "the most severe measures" including pursuing civil and criminal liability.

Proview, a financially troubled manufacturer of computer monitors and LED lights, has been lobbying commercial authorities to pull iPads from shelves, with success in some cities.

Apple unveiled its latest version of the iPad in the United States on Wednesday.

Chinese media reports, meanwhile, said eight banks that are Proview's creditors have said they hold the iPad trademark.

Apple says it bought worldwide rights to the iPad trademark from Proview in 2009. Proview says the sale excluded the Chinese mainland.