China: trademark right of Imabari City in Japan approved: Shanghai ‘Yuji Business Co., Ltd.’ lost
Imabari Towel: Trademark Rights in China
“Problem that Chinese company filed ‘Imabari’ for trademark registration such as towels” has been resolved.
Chinese authorities ruling:
On December 24, Imabari City / Imabari Towel Industry Association of Japan (Imabari City), Ehime Prefecture, jointly announced that an appeal against the Chinese authorities was approved.
Authorities have ruled on November 19 that “Shanghai’s business will not be allowed to register.”
Chinese authorities
“Imabari is the name of a Japanese city.
Towel production volume is the highest in Japan.
Has a certain name recognition.
“The use of a trademark on the Chinese side misleads the source of the product,” he said.
A Chinese company applied for trademark registration in February 2017 and was announced in February 2018.
In May 2018, Imabari City and others filed an opposition.
Chinese companies may request a retrial if they are dissatisfied with the ruling.
It takes about three months to confirm that the request has been made.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun
Imabari towels, Chinese companies apply for trademark registration with Imabari → Municipalities disputed and approved
https://www.huffingtonpost.jp/entry/imabari_jp_5e0185cbe4b05b08bab9f2e3