Washington Apple Commission takes on Chinese trademark officeNovember 21, 2006

The Washington Apple Commission has filed suit against the Chinese Trademark Review and Adjudication Board over its refusal to register a trademark. The mark at issue is shown below:This mark is registered in the United States, but in China, "well-known" geographical names cannot be used as trademarks unless there is also another meaning. The Apple Commission contended that "Washington" was a surname before it was a geographic location, however the Board held that in China, Washington is better known as the capital of the United States than as a name, so the "other meaning" exception did not apply.The case is now before the Intermediate People's Court.