NBA Legend Michael Jordan Wins Long-running China Trademark Dispute
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published April 09, 2020 | 09:50 AM
Beijing, April 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Apr, 2020 ) :China's Supreme Court has ruled in favour of basketball legend Michael Jordan in a long-running trademark dispute, ending an eight-year legal battle with a Chinese sportswear firm that illegally used his name.
Upholding intellectual property rights is one of the core disputes of the US-China trade war, and a phase one deal signed in January saw Beijing pledge to improve protections of intellectual property.
The landmark ruling, made late last month, prohibits the Fujian-based Qiaodan Sports from using the Chinese translation of Jordan's name, Qiao Dan.
The retired Chicago Bulls player and six-time NBA championship winner has a huge following in China, a country that has legions of avid basketball fans.
The Supreme Court decision overturns two previous verdicts in favour of the Chinese firm.
However, it still allows the firm to continue using its logo of a silhouetted basketball player -- which has similarities with the "Jumpman" logo used by Nike to promote its "Air Jordan" line of sports shoes.
However the Supreme Court referred the case over the use of the logo for retrial by the State Intellectual Property Office.
In 2016, Jordan won the right to his name in Chinese characters, but the Supreme Court upheld the firm's right to use its trademark "Qiaodan" in Romanised English.
Qiaodan Sports said in a Weibo statement Tuesday that the ruling "would not impact the normal use of [its] existing trademarks, nor would it affect normal business operations." Founded in 2000, the sportswear franchise operates more than 5,700 stores nationwide.
It has also applied for nearly 200 similarly named trademarks including different Chinese spellings of "Qiaodan", "Flying Power" and "Qiaodan King", according to the verdict.
In 2017, the sportswear brand New Balance was awarded $1.5 million in copyright damages by a Chinese court over its famous "N" logo, which was illegally copied by a local sports shoe firm.
The verdict -- a rare victory for a Western brand in a Chinese intellectual property infringement case -- was announced shortly after US President Donald Trump launched a sweeping investigation into China's record on intellectual property.
The UN said this week that China became the world leader in international patent filings last year, unseating the United States which had held the top spot for more than four decades.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Traffic Police launch cracks down on tinted glasses
Condolence reference held in memory of FBR's officials
Court aims to wrap Trump jury selection ahead of opening arguments
Sindh Minister for Industries and Commerce, Jam Saifullah Dharejo for improving ..
Croatia top court bars president from becoming next PM
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
Abdullahpur-Jhumra road flyover to be ready shortly: FDA
Water level in dams risen from recent rains to improve underground water level: ..
Study suggests standardized packing, labeling health warning, taxes imposition o ..
Superstar Muhammad Ali remembered on 93rd birth anniversary
Health activists ring alarm bells over 10-stick cigarette pack
DC Matiari chairs emergency meeting to prevent measles epidemic
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
8 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
4 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
5 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
8 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
10 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
12 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
12 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
12 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
12 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
14 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
14 days ago