Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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China's top court issued a verdict on Thursday in a lengthy trademark dispute involving US basketball legend Michael Jordan's right to protect his name.
The Supreme People's Court ruled that the registered trademark of Chinese company Qiaodan Sports－"Qiaodan" is a transliteration of "Jordan" in Chinese characters－infringes on Jordan's right to his name and violates provisions of the Trademark Law.
"'Qiaodan' in the Chinese characters has a strong connection to the basketball player, and most Chinese will think of Jordan when they see 'Qiaodan' written in Chinese," said Tao Kaiyuan, vice-president of the top court.
The verdict orders the State Administration for Industry and Commerce to revoke the trademark and to issue a new ruling over the use of Chinese characters in the brand name "Qiaodan".
However, the Supreme People's Court permits the Fujian province shoe and sportswear company's use of Qiaodan related trademarks registered in Pinyin, thus partially ruling against Jordan.
The former NBA star, who was not in the court on Thursday, responded in a statement, "I'm happy that the top court has recognized the right to protect my name."
He said millions of Chinese consumers had always known him by the name "Qiaodan" in Chinese characters, adding that nothing is more important than protecting someone's name.
Highest court hands Jordan partial victory - China - Chinadaily.com.cn
And now, he can start the lawsuits for compensation.
The Supreme People's Court ruled that the registered trademark of Chinese company Qiaodan Sports－"Qiaodan" is a transliteration of "Jordan" in Chinese characters－infringes on Jordan's right to his name and violates provisions of the Trademark Law.
"'Qiaodan' in the Chinese characters has a strong connection to the basketball player, and most Chinese will think of Jordan when they see 'Qiaodan' written in Chinese," said Tao Kaiyuan, vice-president of the top court.
The verdict orders the State Administration for Industry and Commerce to revoke the trademark and to issue a new ruling over the use of Chinese characters in the brand name "Qiaodan".
However, the Supreme People's Court permits the Fujian province shoe and sportswear company's use of Qiaodan related trademarks registered in Pinyin, thus partially ruling against Jordan.
The former NBA star, who was not in the court on Thursday, responded in a statement, "I'm happy that the top court has recognized the right to protect my name."
He said millions of Chinese consumers had always known him by the name "Qiaodan" in Chinese characters, adding that nothing is more important than protecting someone's name.
Highest court hands Jordan partial victory - China - Chinadaily.com.cn
And now, he can start the lawsuits for compensation.
