Ningbo firm entangles with Panasonic for Dear Wife

2010-10-04

Disgruntled with the ruling by the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) over the registration of No. 3410960 trademark “宁峰爱妻乐”, NINGBO CHANGFENG ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE INDUSTRY CO.,LTD(Changfeng) sought legal remedy for reversal at the Beijing No.1 Intermediate Court. The court heard the case recently.

Changfeng applied for “宁峰爱妻乐” as the registered trademarks ,certified to be used on Class 7,the goods of washing machine in December 2002. Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic) lodged an opposition to TMO which was denied in July 2004. Panasonic then brought the case with TRAB.

TRAB took the view that the No. 3410960 trademark “宁峰爱妻乐” and the No. 298162 trademark “愛妻号”(meaning dear wife in Chinese) and its figures were similar marks in same name, pronunciation, meaning and used in similar goods, which would cause confusion among consumers. However, Changfeng claimed that the “愛妻号” and its figure was in traditional Chinese character which was different from the trademark “宁峰爱妻乐”and would not lead confusion to consumers.

As of now, the court has not yet rendered a ruling. We will follow the development of the case.
(By Ma Xingchao)

From:CHINA REPORT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

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