China’s Qiaodan Sports Loses in Attempt to Enforce Michael Jordan Trademarks Against Amazon

Posted on Categories Trademarks

In a decision dated August 24, 2020, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, on appeal from the People’s Court of Chaoyang District in Beijing, ruled against Qiaodan Sports Co., Ltd. (乔丹体育股份有限公司) in a trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon Excellence (亚马逊卓越有限公司),the operator of Amazon’s China website, and affiliate Century Excellence (北京世纪卓越信息技术有限公司). Qiaodan Sports had sued Amazon and Century for trademark infringement for selling Nike’s Jordan footwear based on three trademarks  for “乔丹” (pronounced Qiaodan), the commonly accepted transliteration of Michael’s Jordan’s family …

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation Releases Draft Provisions on the Protection of Trade Secrets

Posted on Categories Trade Secrets, Unfair Competition

On September 4, 2020, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released the Draft Provisions on the Protection of Trade Secrets 《商业秘密保护规定(征求意见稿)》 for comment.  The draft provisions provide definitions of trade secrets and infringement (theft) of same; how to investigate suspected infringement of trade secrets; and legal liability for trade secret infringement.

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.

World Intellectual Property Organization Releases Global Innovation Index 2020 Ranking China 14

Posted on Categories Uncategorized

On September 2, 2020, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in conjunction with Cornell University and INSEAD, released the Global Innovation Index 2020 (GII). China maintained its overall ranking at #14 and was #1 among upper middle-income countries.  China also has 2 of the top 5 ranked science & technology clusters – beating out the United States with Silicon Valley ranked #5.  The GII ranking shows stability at the top but a gradual eastward shift as a group of Asian …