Recently, the administrative lawsuit of 10 Jordan trademark disputes was heard in the Beijing No.1 Intermediate People’s Court without judgment pronounced in court. In the first instance of the previous 68 cases, the Court dismissed all the claims of Michael Jordan, and then Michael Jordan appealed.

In the 10 cases this time, Michael Jordan believes that, he is a world- renowned basketball player, and before the trademark registration, the Chinese translation“乔丹”and its corresponding pinyin“QIAODAN”in China has had a higher reputation, conducting the corresponding relationship with Michael Jordan. Jordan Sports’ trademark registration has obvious malice, and would inevitably lead to confusion among the relevant public as well as disrupt the economic order or harm the public interest. While Jordan sports claimed that, the registration was based on its earlier trademark rights and trade name rights, and did not harm other’s name rights. Also, Michael Jordan’s surname“Jordan”is a common surname for British people or Americans, and Chinese“乔丹 ”is one of the usual translation, and difficult to identify the inevitable correspondence between Michael Jordan and“乔丹”.

Jordan Sports also said that the relevant documents submitted at the time of application for trademark registration have been examined by the Trademark Office under State Administration for Industry and Commerce, which does not constitute any other improper means to obtain registration. There is no factual and legal basis for Michael Jordan’s claim that the application for registration of a trademark dispute would harm the public interest.

(by Mao Liguo)

(Source: CHINA REPORT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY)