Shanghai No.2 Intermediate Court entered a first-instance judgment on Beiersdorf's allegation of Shanghai Yuyan Cosmetic Company and Shanghai Arunis Biotechnology Company's infringement of its trademark NIVEA recently, ordering the two defendants to cease infringement and jointly indemnify 500,000 yuan in damages to the German-based Beiersdorf Group.

NIVEA was approved for registration by the Trademark Office (TMO) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). The court held that the NIYEA was similar with NIVEWA in figures and words consequences, which would cause confusion among consumers. In addition, the trademark in question constituted an imitation of Beiersdorf's in figure and color. So ordered.

The disgruntled Yuyan and Arunis then appealed to Shanghai High People's Court. We would follow the development of the case.

(China IP News)