2012
China’s trademark applications exceeded 10 mln
The number of applications submitted for trademark registration reached 10.54 million at the end of June, ranking the first in the world. China was also at the top of the world’s rankings in terms of registered trademarks, which totaled 7.17 million by the end of June, and valid trademark registration, which totaled 6.09 million. Zhou Bohua, head of SAIC, said that trademarks have become an important means of competition for Chinese companies to approach overseas markets. However, he noted that the number of influential trademarks in China is still low.
People’s Courts commemorated 30th Anniversary of Trademark Law
The Symposium on commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Trademark Law was held in the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) on the afternoon of August 22nd 2012.
SPC’s Pre Vice President Xi Xiaoming attended and delivered the conference.
He emphasized that the people’s courts gained rich experience on trademark trial in the past thirty years. First, trademark trial work must concentrate on and serve the overall interests; second, the people’s courts must put law enforcement and case settlement at the first place; third, the people’s courts must insist on emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts; and the fourth, the courts must pay much attention to research work and trial theory innovation.
Improved trademark registration service
In order to improve trademark registration service, SAIC made a series of regulations. First, enhance trademark registration service: Tongda Trademark Service Center under SAIC deployed enough resources to strengthen logistics services and better emergency preplan, and streamline procedures.
Second, reinforce the construction of system to ensure efficiency and quality. Third, strengthen basic work and team building. Fourth, create performance evaluation mechanism: Build evaluation mechanism from the following five aspects, i.e. thought, work style, business, system and ability.
Nike application for Liu Xiang signature mark rejected
It was reported that the Trademark Appeal Board of SAIC had rejected an application by Nike Inc. for registration of the renowned athlete Liu Xiang’s signature as a trademark. Authorities stated that the name had already been registered by a Shanghai company many years ago when Liu was just three years old. Since both trademarks are in the apparel category, consumers would get confused if the Liu Xiang signature trademark was approved for Nike.
“National Liquor Moutai” triggers controversy
In 2012, the trademark application of “National Liquor Moutai” filed by Guizhou Moutai had passed the preliminary examination of China’s Trademark Office, which caused an uproar in the industry. Shanxi Fenjiu Group, Hebei Hengshui Laobaigan Liquor-making (Group) Co., Ltd., Guizhou Renhuai Nanguo Liquor-making Group, Century Law Firm, Chengdu Lijiu IP Agency, Jingxi Ruian Design Company and a Chongqing consulting company had all filed objections against the registration of the “National Liquor Moutai” trademark.
GREE awarded “China’s Golden Trademark”
Succeeding its honors as the only “Internationally Well-known Trademark” and “Model Enterprise of the National Trademark Strategy Implementation” in China’s air conditioner industry, GREE received another top award in domestic trademark development—”China’s Golden Trademark” award. So far, GREE has 4000 patents, including 710 invention patents and 6 international leading patents.
