How Venture Companies Should Deal with Trademark Squatting?

(By You Yunting) Recently, a news article sparked concern that the Qihu Investment Company (a similar Chinese name to Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd) had rushed-registered hundreds of trademarks belonging to internet venture companies. Even though Qihoo 360 Technology Co., Ltd later clarified that it had nothing with the Qihu Investment Company, the news still attracted attention from both venture companies and lawyers. In today’s post, we would like to address how venture companies should resolve trademark squatting.

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Why Hainan Netcom Is Judged Infringement Liability for IP Addresses It Manages?

(By Albert Chen) Hainan Netcom is an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”), but it also provides the content on the Internet. Even after the company failed todemonstrate that the IP address is used by a third party, and it fulfilled its obligation to check the content of the webpage, the company should still be liable for any corresponding infringement.

Case Summary:

Beijing Ciwen Filming Co., Ltd. (“Company C”) is the copyright holder of film Qi Jian (also known as “Seven Sword”) in mainland China. However, Company C discovered that Hainan Netcom hadbeen providing a link on its homepage (www.hai169.com) for its visitors to stream Qi Jian, without the authorization of Company C.As a result,in September of 2005, Company C filed a lawsuit against Hainan Netcom because it believed that Hainan Netcom had infringed upon its copyright.

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Why Hainan Netcom Is Judged Infringement Liability for IP Addresses It Manages?

Abstract

(By Albert Chen) Hainan Netcom is an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”), but it also provides the content on the Internet. For the URL available on its web pages, the company should be obligated to take an even higher care with regards to its content. Even after the company fails to demonstrate that the IP address is used by a third party, and it has fulfilled its obligation to check the content of the webpage, the company should still be liable for any corresponding infringement.

Case Summary:

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New Chinese Laws & Regulations of May, 2012 (1)

I.The Ministry of Commerce’s Approval of Google’s Acquisition of Motorola Mobility subject to Limitations

The Ministry of Commerce (the “MOC”) announced 2012 No. 5 Announcement on 19th May, 2012. Accordingly, it decides to approve Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility with limitations. The Announcement states that MOC has received Google’s declaration of concentration of business operator for Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility on 30th September, 2011. After MOC’s review and examination, it thought the declaration documents and materials are insufficient, and asked Google to supplement more. On 21st November, 2011, MOC confirmed the supplementary documents and materials are satisfied with requirements, and accepted such declaration to initiate preliminary review and examination. Through preliminary review and examination, MOC thought such concentration declared is likely to eliminate and restrict the competition effect on China’s market of mobile intelligent terminal operation system, as a result, the term of review and examination has been extended twice. On 15th May, 2012, Google submitted the final undertakings on resolution of competition issue. Ultimately, according to the Announcement, Google shall acquire Motorola Mobility subject to four obligations, including licensing Android platform on free and open basis, treating all original devices manufactures in non-discriminatory manner, obeying Motorola Mobility’s FRAND obligation on patent, and entrusting independent supervisors to supervise Google’s fulfillment of the obligations above.

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The Actual Term of Trademark Registration in China

The brief introduction on the registration process of trademark in China

Bridge IP Law Commentary is frequently asked to introduce the process of the trademark application in China and the time it may take. Actually, the trademark registration is a harsh job here 5 years ago, for the administrative examination and approval could take as long as 3 years due to the imbalance between the rocketing applicaton amount and the low efficiencty of the trademark office in China. Luckily, it has been greatly improved, and 10 months is enough for going through the process. Today, Bridge IP Law Commentary will introduce you the standard process of the China trademark registration:

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