JETRO Warns China And Taiwan Are Registering Japanese Trademarks.

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: China, Taiwan usurp Japanese trademarks
The brands accorded to two noted Japanese regional potteries, Kutaniyaki and Minoyaki, have been registered as trademarks of Chinese companies, according to a survey by the Beijing office of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) released Tuesday. Chinese and Taiwanese firms also have submitted applications to Chinese authorities to use Japanese regional brands including Matsusaka-ushi beef and Naruto Kintoki sweet potato as trademarks, a JETRO official said. The Japanese local specialties have been designated by the government's Patent Office as regional brands to stimulate local economies. Once a name is registered as a trademark, one cannot newly register the same designation unless the original trademark holder officially surrenders ownership of the brand name...According to the Beijing JETRO official, as of the end of December, Chinese or Taiwanese firms had registered 36 of Japan's 47 prefectural names as trademarks, with the name Kyoto seeing the greatest number of registrations at 93. Most companies using Japanese brands are Chinese firms, although individuals also did so. By using Japanese brands as trademarks, Chinese firms can benefit free of charge from name recognition to raise their products' prices when marketing them in China...more...