Tag Archives: trademark fair use

Does Using a Trademark with Common Meaning Constitute Trademark Infringement in China?

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(By Luo Yanjie) According to Chinese legislation, a mark which has a common meaning in normal ways may be registered as a trademark where it has acquired distinctiveness through use and is readily distinguishable. If being registered, the mark with a common meaning would be protected under the Trademark Law. However, in practice, a competitor may use the trademark against the exclusive right holder, with a defense that the trademark has common meaning. Today, we will introduce a successful case where the court is in favor of the exclusive right holder of the trademark.

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Fair Use of a Registered Trademark does not Constitute Infringement

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Abstract: fair use of a registered trademark does not constitute infringement, but users shall both have no intent to infringe and accord with the objective facts. The court facing those cases shall apply  Trademark Law to consider the original intention of Trademark Law instead of applying a rigid formula to determine that the infringement shall rely on “whether the results cause confusion”．

(By Luo Yanjie) Generally speaking, using a registered trademark without permission constitutes trademark infringement. However, a few exceptions to the general rule still exist. For example, in today’s post a typical case will be introduced.

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