Beijing court rejects Shaolin temple trademark bid

BEIJING: Persistent attempts by China's famed Shaolin temple to stamp its trademark on instant noodles and coffee may have hit a brick wall after a court ruled against the move, state media said Tuesday.

The temple in central China -- world-famous for its kung fu and more recently its commercialism -- applied in August 2004 to put the brand "Shaolin Medicine" on items such as noodles, the Beijing Times newspaper reported.

Authorities refused their application twice, prompting the temple to file a lawsuit last year, it said.

But a court in Beijing ruled Monday that using the trademark "Shaolin Medicine" could "easily lead consumers to think that the products came from a pharmacy and that they could contain some medicinal elements," the report said.

The court said consumers could be misled about the products' function, which would "create a bad social impact".

Neither the court nor a spokesman for the temple were immediately available for comment.

The temple -- which makes millions every year from entrance fees, online sales of Shaolin items such as spearheads and its travelling performing troupes -- has attracted controversy in China over charges of rampant commercialism.

The temple's money-making success is largely attributed to abbot Shi Yongxin, a monk who took charge in 1999. Dubbed the "CEO of Shaolin," he has been repeatedly criticised for his perceived pursuit of money.

But some have defended him, saying he is simply adapting with the times.