A nationwide campaign on protection of Expo symbols will be launched with a view to enhance public awareness and combat violations of the symbols, a November 20 press conference on Expo symbols protection said.

According to Zhao Gang, deputy director general of the Trademark Office under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), from 2008 to 2009 third quarter, administrations for industry and commerce nationwide handled 55 infringement cases blanketing goods value worth 168,000 yuan, and imposed 396,900 yuan in fines under the Regulation on the Protection of World Expo Logo Marks.

As of the end of October 2009, the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination has applied 61 symbols with the Trademark Office under SAIC. In addition, one special symbol was deposited to each 45 varieties under the Regulations on Management of Special Symbols, and 229 trademarks were filed under the trademark law.

(China IP News)