IP Scene

1. Beijing

Trademark vetting for small shops

By September 1, a total of 38 local markets in the city had adopted a system to protect trademarks that requires every shopkeeper to disclose information about their suppliers and submit inspection reports to market management companies before renting a booth.

Information needed includes authorization letters, a business license and customs documents from manufacturers, agencies or distributors.

Begun in 2006, the system aims to make the chain of purchase more transparent and strengthen protection of registered trademarks, according to the State Administration of Industry and Commerce.

Markets now covered by the system are mainly in construction materials, electronics and clothes.

Authorities plan to expand coverage to other markets in two or three years, according to the authorities.

Beijing Business Today

Carrefour sues for infringement

Carrefour, the French hypermarket chain, has sued a company in Fuyang for trademark infringement and unfair competition.

The defendant, Anhui Jiale Supermarket Chain Co Ltd, uses a name very similar to the Chinese pronunciation of Carrefour - Jialefu - and has more than 160 stores under franchise in the city that use the same trademark as Carrefour on their shop names, signs, promotional banners, price tags, sales receipts and shopping bags.

China National Radio

Investigation into fake Honda parts

More than 10 auto parts stores in the central province are under investigation for selling fake Honda parts.

Local industrial and commercial authorities have ordered offending stores to remove Honda trademarks on unauthorized products, most of which were shipped from Guangzhou.

Though much lower priced than authentic parts, the workmanship and materials of faked items carry no guarantee, according to a law enforcement official.

Chutian Golden Newspaper

Online pirates face closure

Sichuan-based websites can be closed within half an hour if they provide unauthorized online games, audio or video of large events like sports competitions and concerts.

Part of a three-month crackdown on Internet privacy until the end of October, the initiative is designed to increase awareness that "authorization comes before product spread", according to the provincial copyright bureau.

Portals for audio, video, literature, animation, software and online games, as well as products related to the ongoing World Expo in Shanghai and the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, are all under examination.

It is the fifth time local authorities held such a special campaign to fight Internet piracy in the southwestern province since 2006.

Beijing Business Today

Policy to encourage agro marks

The number of agricultural trademarks is projected to surpass 5,000 in the southwestern province in the next five years, according to a recent policy released by the provincial administration for industry and commerce.

The authorities are encouraging local farmers and agricultural companies to register trademarks to improve competitiveness. They also aid trade associations to file applications for geographical indications.

Jinqian Online

Pavilion rights on auction

A local trade association has announced opening prices for four registered trademarks covering the Taiwan pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo that will be auctioned on September 16. The bid winner have the right to rebuild the pavilion in Taiwan.

After the Expo comes to an end, some $5.8 million in reusable construction materials, equipment and related software will be part of the deal for the top bidder.

Only government departments, organizations and companies from Taiwan are eligible to the auction.

If Taiwan-invested companies in other areas have interest in the auction, the association requires that the Taiwanese share should be more than 70 percent of the company's total capital, two-thirds of corporate officers should be from Taiwan and the rebuilding site should be in Taiwan.