Nightclub busted for trademark infringement   

浙江溫嶺“天上人間”商標侵權 圓凌型銅牌被拆除

雖然溫嶺“天上人間”否認與北京“天上人間”有關，但細心的網(wǎng)友發(fā)現(xiàn)，它懸掛著同樣的圓菱型銅牌。2日，記者從溫嶺市工商局獲悉，已立案進行調查，可以確定溫嶺“天上人間”存在侵權行為。工商部門也責令其拆除圓菱型太陽圖案的銅牌。[查看全文]

ECNS -- A high-end nightclub called "Tianshang Renjian" in Wenling, Zhejiang province is the latest to come under fire for using a sign too similar to one trademarked by the famous "Passion Club" in Beijing, according to reports on Tuesday.

Four top nightclubs involved in suspected trademark infringement had already been ordered to close after police launched spot checks at several high-end entertainment venues on May 11.

Yet by June 25, another club bearing a similar name and sign had popped up in Wenling.

Its sign, a large rhombus-shaped, sun-pattern bronze logo hanging above the club's entrance quickly caused speculation about whether it was a copy of Beijing's "Passion Club."

An official at the local Culture Broadcasting Bureau played down the suspected forgery, calling it a "coincidence."

But despite efforts to dispel public concern, the sign was taken down after the local industry and commerce bureau certified it a trademark infringement and launched an investigation.

"Such a practice constitutes a malicious imitation that may mislead consumers," an official at the bureau said.

The newly-opened nightclub does not have a registered trademark, but only a business license. Moreover, the full name used for the registration was "Taiping Tianshang Renjian Nightclub" instead of "Tianshang Renjian Nightclub," the official added.