Disgruntled with the ruling by the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) over the registration of its 湖人队 and LAKERS TEAM trademarks by Fujian Hurendui Sporting Goods Company, NBA sought reversal of the ruling at the Beijing No.1 Intermediate Court. The court heard the case recently.

NBA lodged an opposition to the TRAB on the ground of imitation and translation of its registered trademarks. TRAB held that the evidences submitted by NBA can merely prove its relatively high reputation in basketball, but fail to prove the trademark of Los Angles Lakers Team enjoys high reputation before the registration by the Fujian company. In parallel, the trademarks in questions are disparity in function, use and consumer groups, which can not lead confusion among the public. TRAB then denied NBA's claim and registered 湖人队 and LAKERS TEAM.

The disgruntled NBA requires the court to reverse the TRAB decision. We will follow the development of the case. 

(China IP News)