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China’s Supreme People’s Court Rules in Favor of Michael Jordan vs. Qiaodan Sports

China’s Supreme People’s Court Rules in Favor of Michael Jordan vs. Qiaodan Sports

 

In another lawsuit between Michael Jordan and Qiaodan Sports, the Supreme People’s Court ruled in favor of Michael Jordan over Qiaodan Sports for a trademark dispute. The suit arises at least over the fact that one may translate the name “Jordan” to the phonetic of “Qiaodan” in Chinese. In essence, Michael Jordan argued that his name has been misappropriated, utilized for illicit gains, and has tainted his goodwill. Qiaodan Sports defended themselves with a plethora of counter arguments, at least including the fact that “Qiaodan” may have multiple meanings and even if “Qiaodan” did reference Jordan, it may not reference Michael Jordan.

The end of the trail concluded that Qiaodan Sports misled it’s consumers with at least one of their product lines, infringing on Michael Jordan’s name. Thus, any of Qiaodan Sports’ Chinese registered trademarks bearing “Qiaodan” in the mark will be revoked from use in China. While no settlements are to be paid, and Qiaodan sports will continue to utilize their current logo, other suits are still on-going or pending between Michael and Qiaodan Sports, sure to bring further judgements.

 

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Update: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, COVID-19 Developments

As an update to a blog entry on March 31, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has taken additional actions in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.  Pursuant to temporary authority provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the USPTO has extended various filing and fee payment deadlines for patent and trademark cases (due dates between March 27 and May 31) to June 1, 2020.  This is in addition to the prior extension the USPTO had announced on March 31, 2020.  Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, said, “Innovation and entrepreneurship will play a key role in our fight against this pandemic, and in the upcoming recovery of our country…. Accordingly, the USPTO continues to assess measures to support the work of inventors and entrepreneurs during this crisis and beyond.”  For more information about particular deadlines, feel free to speak to one of the Firm’s attorneys.