IP Scene

1. Beijing

Cartier prevails in trademark infringement lawsuit

French jeweler and watch maker Cartier recently prevailed in a trademark lawsuit against Foshan Yinuo and Beijing Yulong Yinuo for using the company's name and logo on their ceramic products.

The Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court ruled that the two defendants were guilty of trademark infringement and unfair competition and should pay 170,000 yuan in damages to Cartier.

The court held that claims by the defendants were unsubstantiated as they failed to present enough evidence.

2. Jiangsu

Technical specialists selected for expert legal panel

The court in the city of Huai'an and the local intellectual property administration have selected a group of technological specialists to found an expert panel for intellectual property cases.

The experts will serve as jurors, directly participate in intellectual property trials and answer technical questions.

The city has been home to increasing numbers of highly technical cases in recent years.

3. Shanghai

Gang busted for fake Expo coins and stamps

Police have broken up a gang that was selling fake World Expo souvenir coins and stamps.

Gang members bought fake goods for 700 yuan to 1,000 yuan in other provinces and sold them over the Internet for more than 3,000 yuan each, police said, earning more than 200,000 yuan from the illegal products.

4. Ningxia

Yinchuan to unveil intangible cultural heritage list

The authorities in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, are expected to unveil a new list on the city's intangible cultural heritage (ICH).

It will be the city's second ICH list. The first was announced in 2008.

Vying for the status are 73 entries ranging from traditional skills, arts, music, dance, drama, crafts, medical treatment, physical education, entertainment, acrobatics and folk customs.

An expert panel will appraise the applications and select 22 items for the new list and 11 to be added to the previous batch.

5. Guangdong

Judges, academics to promote IP research

A provincial expert committee, made up of judges and academics was recently formed in Zhongshan to encourage study and research on intellectual property cases among courts and scholars.

The province has topped the nation in cases heard by local courts for six consecutive years. In 2009, the number of intellectual property civil cases accounted for more than one-fifth of the country's total.

In addition to traditional copyright, patent and trademark cases, local courts also heard disputes on online copyrights, new plant varieties, domain names, monopoly charges, licensing, well-known trademarks and other new subjects.

6. Hong Kong

Copies of previous school exams seized by customs

Suspected photocopies of previous examination papers produced and copyrighted by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority were seized in a recent raid by Hong Kong Customs of an office and 14 tutorial centers.

Four men and four women, aged from 25 to 57, were arrested.

Thomas Lin, Group Head of Intellectual Property Investigation Bureau at Hong Kong Customs, said the seizure included 12,000 photocopies and 7,000 DVDs valued at HK$3.8 million, or nearly $490,000.

(China Daily 05/20/2010 page17)