Skip to main content

What is common between Apple, Pfizer and Michael Jordan? All three are famous brands. All three have a distinct fan following and consumer base. All three have lost trademark battles in China.

Recently in May 2016, Apple lost the right over its famous trademark ‘iPhone’ in China to a Chinese leather goods manufacturer as it failed to prove that ‘iPhone’ had gained popularity or had become famous for its goods before the Chinese maker obtained registration for the trademark IPHONE in China.

In 2015, Michael Jordan lost rights over the mandarin transliteration of his name i.e. Qiaodan to a Chinese imitator.  The court held that ““Qiaodan” is not the only name that corresponds to “Jordan,” and “Jordan” is only an ordinary surname of American people, not a full name. The court concluded that the evidence presented before it was not enough to prove that the term/name “Qiaodan” determinedly pointed to Michael Jordan…” Jordan has appealed this decision before the Supreme Court of China and the final decision is awaited.

Authored by Astha Negi.

Read more

Most Recent

News & Insights

VIEW ALL
News & Updates
Nov 04, 2025

In a remarkable conclusion to one of India’s longest-running trademark disputes, the order authored by Justice Sanjeev Narula of the Hon’ble High Court

DELHI HIGH COURT BRINGS 25-YEAR “CELEBRATIONS” TRADEMARK DISPUTE TO A WHOLESOME CLOSE
News & Updates
Nov 02, 2025

Partner Litigation, Dhruv Anand, spoke to Times of India for its dive-deep article on ‘Stars v AI’ giving a 360 degree roundup of what actually makes

Stars vs AI: Dhruv Anand speaks to ToI about personality rights and the intent behind protecting them
Thought Leadership
Oct 22, 2025

‘First published on Lexology’ By: Pravin Anand, Vaishali R Mittal and Siddhant Chamola A. INTRODUCTION Standards‑essential patents (“SEPs”)

Interim Licences vs Anti Interim Injunctions: a Cross Border Stand Off
Thought Leadership
Oct 16, 2025

‘First published on Lexology’ By: Safir Anand and Omesh Puri The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks has issued a

Indian Trade Marks Office issues Office Order – Streamlining Registry Function