Here are your Apple rumors and AAPL news items for Monday:

Uncovered Chinese Paperwork Hints at iPad 3 Launch Date: According to The Register, leaked shipping manifests reveal that Chinese plants have been producing Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad 3 in anticipation of mass distribution early this March. The uncovered logistics reports point toward a closely pending release date for the iPad 3, with March 7 being the most likely point at which the third generation of Apple’s tablet will be first sold throughout the U.S. While not specifying transport details, the papers nevertheless reveal that shipping has already begun, with the first wave of iPad imports set to occur between Feb. 26 and March 9.

German Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Apple in Ongoing Patent Battle: Businessweek reported that Apple won a notable victory in an ongoing European patent battle with Motorola Mobility (NYSE:MMI) after a German appeals court ruled in Apple’s favor. Apple has been entangled in a series of ongoing patent disputes with Motorola — which currently is in the final stages of being bought out by Google (NASDAQ:GOOG). Among the most notable of these has been a licensing dispute around the use of Motorola products on iPhones and iPads sold within the European Union. The German appeals court ruled that Motorola could no longer bar online sales of iPhone and iPad models using patented technology from Apple’s German website.

See Also: What Apple Can Do With $98 Billion in Cash

Apple’s Lead in Smartphones Uncertain: Despite a history of dominance in the smartphone market, The New York Times brings into question whether Apple will maintain its unshakable grip in the mobile sector. Overseas, Apple’s competitors retail their smartphones for significantly less — with Samsung‘s (PINK:SSNLF) Galaxy S II undercutting the cost of the 4S by at least 170 pounds in the U.K. market. Similarly, the Galaxy S II sells for 80 euros in the German market, notably less than the 130-euro standard for the iPhone. While Apple reported record iPhone sales this quarter and stands as the industry flagship, the conservative prices of its competitors may siphon market share.

— Adam Patterson, InvestorPlace Assistant Editor