A dispute over the trademark of China's renowned Wong Lo Kat (王老吉) Herbal Tea continues between the Hong Kong-based JDB Group and the Guangzhou Wanglaoji Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. under the banner of Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Group. The case will be arbitrated at the arbitration commission for promotion of international trade in the end of this month.
The JDB Group claims to have the right to use the trademark for the herbal tea until 2020. Meanwhile, Wanglaoji Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. continues to insist that JDB's right to use the trademark of the herbal beverage expired in May 2010.
As early as in the first half of 2011, Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Group authorized Guangdong Guangliang Industrial Co., Ltd. to produce Wanglaoji (王老吉) Lotus Seed & Mung Bean and Wanglaoji (王老吉) Vigorous Conjee. Over this matter, JDB Group called for the involved state-owned enterprise to respect intellectual property, abide by national laws and regulations and safeguard national interests.
JDB Group defended itself by sueing other Wanglaoji (王老吉) products. But no further news came from the court.
According to AC Nielsen statistics, the canned Wang Lo Kat Herbal Tea has surpassed other carbonated drinks and taken 90% shares of cold tea market in Mainland China.
（Source:IPR in China）
