VivaTech takes the stage as the world's leading event for tech and startups
19 Jun 2023 18:33
A Beijing court has dismissed a trademark case brought by US basketball superstar Michael Jordan against a company named Qiaodan using a similar name and logo to his Nike-produced brand, a report said.
Michael Jordan is arguably the most popular international basketball star in China and is known in the country as "Qiaodan," a Chinese version of his name.
He asked Chinese authorities in 2012 to revoke the trademark of Qiaodan Sports Co, accusing the sportswear firm of misleading consumers about its ties to the 6-time NBA champion.
As well as the name, Qiaodan's products carry a silhouette of a leaping basketball player resembling the "Jumpman" logo used by US sporting goods giant Nike to promote its Air Jordan brand.
Authorities refused Jordan's request, and a lower court in Beijing did the same. He appealed to the Beijing Higher People's Court, which has ruled against him, the Chinese news portal Sohu reported.
"'Jordan' is not the only possible reference for 'Qiaodan' in the trademark under dispute," it cited a transcript of the verdict as saying.
"In addition, 'Jordan' is a common surname used by Americans," the court added according to the report Monday, and the logo was in the shape of a person with no facial features, so that it was "hard" for consumers to identify it as Jordan.
There was insufficient evidence to prove the trademark referred to the US star, it concluded.
Related coverage
Hisense expands sports portfolio with Maccabi Tel Aviv deal
08 Jun 2015
Vertical Marathon—A sport designed for the city centre
12 Feb 2016
Gillette announced Ning Zetao as latest spokesperson
14 Aug 2015
Australian brand ambassador for XiamenAir
12 Jun 2016
Serbian basketball captain to represent PEAK Sport in Europe
17 Aug 2015
More from Yutang Sports
SportAccord 2024 - combating online abuse ‘chance for sport to show its power’
22 Mar 2024
Ingmar De Vos elected as the next ASOIF President
10 Apr 2024
SportAccord calls for the power of sport to lead anti-abuse actions
17 Apr 2024
SportAccord Media Partners will ensure global audiences are primed with latest news in sport
02 Mar 2024
France’s Golden Decade of Sport
14 Jun 2023
Yutang Sports
loading...