Cartier International, owner of the world-renowned jewelry brand Cartier sued Beijing Qing Ding Qi Yuan Wedding Service Center and Ka Di Ya Wedding Photography Studio for trademark infringement.  The Beijing First Intermediate People's Court heard the media-attentive case on April 3.

The plaintiff claims, after 1995, both Cartier and卡地亚 (pronounced in Chinese, Ka Di Ya) became registered trademarks, and in 2004, they were endorsed as well-known marks by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.  The words卡迪亚 (also pronounced Ka Di Ya) used by the two defendants in their registered company names, are similar to the registered trademark 卡地亚.

The defendants argue that the name 卡迪亚 was a representation of the owner's respect to the famous French photographer Henri Cartier Bresson and his intent to associate his photographic skills with the French master's.  The decoration of the storefront is also in unison with the exotic name.  In addition, as well-known and reputable companies in wedding photography business, they do not need to take a free ride with the plaintiff's brand from an utterly irrelevant business.

The court did not make its decision immediately and would hear the case again on a separate day.