07.07.2008
Shiseido Sues Chinese Firms
Japanese cosmetics maker Shiseido Co., Ltd. announced that it has sued Chinese companies in China for alleged trademark infringement and unfair competition. The Shanghai Second Intermediate People’s Court accepted two cases initiated by Shiseido against Shanghai Jingdian Cosmetics Co. Ltd., Shanghai Roumey Bio-Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Xiaoxian Meiye Bio-Technology Co. Ltd. and their founders, Li Wei and Ma Yan.
Shiseido owns the Chinese trademarks “SHISEIDO” and 资生堂 (Zishengtang), while the defendants have been using the marks “Shidoas” and 资生堂雅姿 (Zishengtangyazi) on their cosmetics products.
Ma Yan also registered a company in Hong Kong with the trade name “资生堂雅姿” (Zishengtangyazi).
In Shiseido’s view, the trademarks which are used by the defendant parties are confusingly similar to Shiseido’s trademarks registered in China. The use of 资生堂 (Shiseido or – Chinese – Zishengtang) in the trade name of the Hong Kong company might confuse consumers as to the origin of the goods.
Shiseido requested the five defendants to stop the infringement, publish an apology in newspapers and pay 1.89 million yuan (about 172,440 EUR) in compensation.
Keywords for this post:
China, Japan, Marken, trademarks
