China's imperial Palace Museum vowed Tuesday that it may take legal action to secure its intellectual rights involving the best-known Palace Museum and Forbidden City as the two names have been awarded "Name Brands of China."

Li Wenru, deputy curator of the Palace Museum, told a press conference that as the sole owner of the two brandnames, the museum use them in the fields of sightseeing and tourism, assessment of artworks, exhibition for cultural and educational purposes and publishing.

"Palace Museum" and "Forbidden City" are exclusively referred to the current site of the museum which served as imperial palace for the two dynasties of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911).

Between 1996-1998, the museum registered at the State Administration for Industry and Commerce the two brandnames for 15 categories of commodities and services.

But many companies and individuals have tried to register "Palace Museum" or "Forbidden City" as brandnames for their own use. In 2004 alone, 20 such applications were announced by the administration.

The Museum has found more than 100 kinds of commodities or companies named after the imperial palace, including even noodle vendors and wedding ceremony services.

Following its application, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce approved two trade marks as "name brands of China" in June this year.

The deputy curator said the Museum is now able to better protect its rights in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

(China Daily 10/11/2006)