There was a time when companies were sceptical about IP
protection in China, with the general impression being that the law
was heavily weighted in favour of local companies, some of whom
seemed to make a habit of hijacking foreign brands. But things have
changed considerably over the past few years, and a recent trade
mark development should further persuade African businesses that
their IP rights, and particularly their trade marks, will be
properly protected in China.
According to the publication The Trademark Lawyer, a
Chinese court has recently ordered three Chinese companies to pay
shoe manufacturer New Balance damages of USD1.5-million for trade
mark infringement. The company owns a number of trade marks,
including the name New Balance, but this case related to a logo
mark, the slanting N Logo. New Balance sued three Chinese companies
– Zheng Chaozhong, Xin Ping Heng Sporting Goods Limited Co,
and Bo Si Da Ke Trading Limited – which seemingly all used a
very
