Chinese high court hears Michael Jordan trademark appeal

World Today

A Chinese sportswear company is being sued for using NBA legend Michael Jordan’s Chinese name as its trademark. CCTV’s Wu Guoxiu reports from Beijing.

Former NBA star Micheal Jordan is accusing Chinese sportswear firm Qiaodan Sports of using his name and identity unauthorized.

In Chinese, the basketball legend’s surname is commonly referred to as “Qiaodan” which the Chinese pronunciation of Jordan.

The heated debate has centered around two issues in this case: whether Qiaodan Sports’ trademark has intruded upon Jordan’s name rights, and whether it has violated China’s trademark law, which was amended in 2001, to rule that a registered trademark shall not damage the rights of any other.

Tuesday’s trial was open to the media and was streamed online, but there hasn’t been a verdict yet.