Amended legislation will, according to news agency reports, target malicious trademark registrations designed to misuse famous brand names.

Angry Jordan

A Reuters report says moves to reform legislation follows accusations from American basketball star Michael Jordan, who became only the latest in a line of brand owners to complain about infringement in China.
Mr Jordan claims his name was used in the country without his permission, resulting in him issuing legal proceedings against a local sportswear company. The report also points to French luxury brand Hermes International and technology giant Apple as other global western brands that have faced recent trademark difficulties in China.

No timetable

According to Reuters, China’s government news agency Xinhua says the proposed legislative reforms will boost trademark protection for established international brands, ‘giving copyright owners the right to ban others from registering their trademarks or from using similar ones, even if such trademarks are not registered’.
The report says Beijing’s legislature will consider the proposed trademark law amendments this week, but so far Chinese officials have not set out a timetable for full reform.