Nike Sues Chinese Trademark Dispute "Liu Xiang"

flickr.com | by afagen | CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Nike Inc. sues Chinese trademark authorities to claim the rights to use the Chinese-language name of Liu Xiang, a famous Chinese Olympic hurdler. According to Wall Street Jounal, The Trademark Appeal Board had denied Nike's trademark application, because of the rights still belong to Chinese garment maker Shanghai Liuxiang Industrial Ltd. Co. Read more 

Nike claimed that the name ‘Liu’ has huge commercial value because of his awareness.

▲ Liu Xiang on Wikipedia

Nike's lawyer also told chinadaily.com.cn that Nike already signed a contract for authorized commercial use of his name and image before Liu became a big star in China. Also added that Nike already has a series of approved trademarks such as liuxiang and LX, but lacks the rights to the Chinese characters for his name. Read more

Liu Xiang is a Chinese 110 meter hurdler and an Olympic Gold medalist and World Champion. He is one of China's most commercially successful athletes and became a huge star as a culture icon. He is the first Chinese athlete to achieve the "triple crown" of athletics: World Record Holder, World Champion and Olympic Champion. 

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