Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court has begun hearing a lawsuit against the Trademark Appeal Board filed by US computer giant Dell after the board upheld an English school's trademark with same pronunciation as Dell's Chinese version.

Longman Schools was granted the trademark in 2009 despite Dell's objection.

In upholding Longman's trademark, the appeals board noted the difference in spelling and said evidence presented by Dell did not prove it qualifies for well-known status and cross-sector protection despite its reputation in personal computers.

(Source: China Daily)