China’s Yaohai District Market Supervision Bureau Issues 20 Million RMB Fine for Trademark Infringement

Posted on Categories Case, Trademarks

According to a report by 知识产权界, the Yaohai District Market Supervision Bureau in Hefei, China has fined Hefei Huibin Entertainment Management Co., Ltd. (合肥汇宾娱乐管理有限公司) 20 million RMB (~$2.9 million USD) for trademark infringement. Huibin ran a nightclub in a hotel under the name Shanghai Beach (上海滩) and Shanghai Beach Entertainment Club (上海滩娱乐会所) and was accused of trademark infringement for the use of  the trademark 上海滩.

Shanghai Third Intermediate Court Announces Sentencing of Criminal Lego Infringers

Posted on Categories Case, Copyright

On September 2, 2020, just 6 months after the Shanghai People’s Procuratorate announced the criminal copyright prosecution of Lego infringers,  the Shanghai Third Intermediate Court has announced the sentencing of the same 9 people to up to 6 years in jail and a 90 million RMB (~$13 million USD) fine.  The group of 9 had sold over 300 million RMB of infringing products under the Lepin (乐拼) brand and had over 30 million RMB of infringing products stored ready for …

Chinese Utility Model Patent That Survived 19 Invalidation Attempts Leads to 1 Million RMB in Damages

Posted on Categories Case, Utility Model

In decision (2020)最高法知民终357号 released August 10, 2020, China’s Supreme People’s Court affirmed an earlier award of 1 million RMB (~$145 thousand USD) for infringement of utility model (UM) patent no. ZL201420522729.0.  The UM relates to a selfie stick and has already survived 19 attempts at invalidation. 

Beijing Intellectual Property Court Rules for Château Lafite Rothschild Winery Against Real Estate Developer in Trademark Dispute

Posted on Categories Case, Trademarks

The Beijing Intellectual Property Court announced a victory for Château Lafite Rothschild against Huailai Lishihongya Company (怀来利世鸿亚公司) and two other unnamed defendants, awarding Rothschild 5 million RMB (~$720 thousand USD) for trademark infringement on August 7, 2020.  Lishihongya was developing a real estate complex and used the trademark “CHATEAU LAFITE” 拉斐 (La Fei – the Chinese name of Lafite) on the gates of the complex and support facilities, as well as in marketing material. Rothschild has sold wine in the …