Japan’s move to preserve geographical brands in China and its implication to Korea
In fact, it has been alleged that many Chinese have illicitly trademarked or tried to trademark the names of famous Japanese places, names and local specialties in recent years.
Long-lasted disputes and subsequent legal suits over Kagawa Prefecture(香川県)’s Sanuki Udon(讃岐うどん) between Japan’s Kabashima Shouji(樺島商事) and Taiwan’s Namchow Group are none other than a representative example.
Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea
Such aggressive drives time to time led to undesirable results accompanied by huge controversy and conflict. More cases have been noticed in the corporate sector.
However, conflicts in the public sector are no less serious. That could explain why Japanese central and local governments have been eager to protect Japanese geographical brands in China.
In fact, it has been alleged that many Chinese have illicitly trademarked or tried to trademark the names of famous Japanese places, names and local specialties in recent years.
