China's top intellectual property regulator has pledged to further strengthen crackdowns against improper trademark applications related to the novel coronavirus after rejecting dozens of applications last week.
The National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) said in a notice issued on March 6 that some agencies had been using epidemic catchwords, including the names of hospitals and prominent doctors, in recent trademark applications, and that such behavior should cease because it goes against social morality and human conscience.
To fight improper trademark registrations, the administration has been screening applications from trademark agencies for the misleading use of epidemic-related terms and has sent evidence to subordinate departments to deal with them, the notice said.
While demanding that the departments quickly launch inspections and urge problematic applicants to correct their behavior, the administration said it would transfer serious cases to enforcement authorities if applicants have violated the law.
The administration called for trademark associations, which are made up of trademark agencies, to play a role in helping the industry improve its self-discipline, mete out timely punishment to members who have filed improper applications and publicly criticize nonmembers in line with laws.
It added that it was establishing a database to record the applications of trademark agencies, blacklist improper ones and disclose them to the public.
Source: China Daily
