Since the launch of the Special Campaign to Protect the Exclusive Right to Use a Registered Trademark last year, the Trademark Office (CTMO) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) and local Administration for Industry and Commerce (AIC) at all levels through China have been strengthening the protection on well-known trademarks in light of the arrangement of the State Council concerning the Special Campaign on IPR Protection and SAIC’s requirement. Recently, CTMO has recognized another 64 well-known trademarks, 59 of which were recognized in trademark administrative cases submitted by local AICs, and 5 of which were recognized in trademark opposition cases (including one opposition case in international trademark registration under Madrid system).

Among the 64 newly recognized well-known trademarks, 60 were registered by Chinese enterprises (including 2 state-owned enterprises, 3 foreign-owned enterprises, 5 foreign-invested enterprises, 49 enterprises of other types and 1 enterprise is from HK SAR), and 4 were registered by foreign enterprises (namely: 2 Japanese, 1 British and 1 French enterprise). Besides, this is the first time for CTMO to recognize well-known trademarks in such three classes of goods and services as newspapers and periodicals, financing services, leasing of real estate as well as real estate management.

By now, CTMO has recognized 126 Chinese and foreign well-known trademarks in the Special Campaign to Protect the Exclusive Right to Use a Registered Trademark, which has effectively protected the legitimate rights and interests of well-known trademark owners.