Victory for Château Ausone and Barrière Frères in trademark dispute in China

The Chinese Trademark Office (CTO) supported the two Bordeaux companies, rejecting and outlawing two uses of similar names and images.

Négociant, Barrière Frères was challenging the submission of a ship logo which it said was too similar to the ship it uses for its “Grand Bateau” label.

Ausone also won its case to abolish the use of its name in Chinese characters.

The offender in the case is said to be known in Bordeaux circles as “the trademark squatter”, and was accused by the CTO as acting in bad faith.

source: www.thedrinksbusiness.com

On the final day of the fair, yesterday, organisers spoke out suggesting that expanding international appeal had been observed.

Official figures have not yet been released, however, approximately 40% of this year’s 48,800 visitors were from outside of France, with 148 countries being represented.

Promisingly, there was a 10% increase in visitors from Canada, as well as increased representation from the UK, Russia and Norway.

There was also an increase in buyers from Asia, roughly 3,200 from: China, India, Taiwan, South Korea and Thailand. Japan saw an increase of 18% in numbers when compared with 2011.

There were a number of new exhibitors from less well-known regions such as Mexico, Japan, Turkey, and China’s Sichuan Province.

Vinexpo CEO Robert Beynat, summarised by saying that “The number and quality of meetings and the positive atmosphere in the three exhibition halls sends an encouraging message to the whole wine and spirits industry.”

Source: www.thedrinksbusiness.com