Aussie Judge slams Apple iPad+4G claims and slaps the giant with a $2.25m fine.

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“The conduct concerned was deliberate and very serious,” Judge Mordy Bromberg said, referring to Apple’s claim that its new iPad 3 was capable of working on ultra fast 4G network in Oz, when this was not the case.

The new iPad released earlier this year works on 3G networks only and will work on 4G networks just in the US.

The Australian consumer watchdog, ACCC, took Apple to task over the “misleading” claims and the giant initially refused to retract the 4G ready claims.

The ruling and fine against Apple was made earlier this month but the Judge wanted to get more information on exactly how many iPads were returned to Apple retailers before he gave a final verdict.

Previous reports indicated no iPad 3 had been returned, and it was not disclosed in the ruling how many were returned by apparently duped consumers seeking a refund.

“It exposed a significant proportion of Australian consumers of tablet devices to a misleading representation,” the Federal Court Judge added.

“In that context, and in the absence of any other explanation, the facts to which I have just referred suggest that Apple’s desire for global uniformity was given a greater priority than the need to ensure compliance with the Australian consumer law,” he added.

He also condemned Apple for conduct that was “serious and unacceptable,” reports AFP.

Apple has agreed to pay the fine of $2.25m and pay $300,000 costs to ACCC.