No Trademark Slam Dunk for Michael Jordan in China

Editor’s Note: The author of this post is a Hogan Lovells’ partner who splits her time between Beijing and Hong Kong, who collaborated with a professional support lawyer in the Beijing office.

By Deanna Wong, partner, and Stefaan Meuwissen, professional support lawyer, of Hogan Lovells

Michael Jordan has recently joined the ranks of scores of American (and Chinese) celebrities that had to turn to the Chinese courts to protect their personal names. However, unfortunately for Michael Jordan, his case did not have a happy ending.

The Beijing Higher People’s Court — the highest court for ordinary administrative trademark appeals — has recently rejected ...