Beijing YI DE GE Ink Co., Ltd. has a history of more than 140 years since its establishment in the forth year of Tongzhi, Qing dynasty (1865) and is well known for their ink products. The company’s trademark “一得阁” has been awarded well-known trademark for more than ten consecutive years, and was awarded Beijing famous trademark in 2005 again. In 2006, the company received the award of “China Time-honored brand”, with their ink series products under the brand “YI DE GE” being elected as Beijing Non-material Heritage, and the product recipe being listed as state-level confidential program.
Such a China Time-honored brand which concentrates hundred years of history of China cultural product and represents high honor of painting and calligraphy was facing problems in IPR protection in recent years, particularly the counterfeiting products.
Recently, YI DE GE learned of a company in Linyi Shangdong producing and wholesaling ink products bearing the brand “一得阁”. It has a complete sale channel and the price of its products is obviously lower than the market standard level. In view of this serious situation, YI DE GE entrusted Unitalen to crack down on this counterfeiting company.
After sending lawyer to verify the fact on site, Unitalen prepared complete evidence material and submitted with AIC in Linyi, Shandong, who decided to take a joint action with Linyi Public Security against the infringing company. A thorough search in the infringing company located 115 cases of inks, nearly 600 trademark symbols, 400 packaging boxes and 100 product instructions, all of which are verified as counterfeit. In view of this fact, the officials from AIC seized the counterfeit goods. According to the representing attorney, due to the large amount of counterfeits involved, the AIC may transfer this case to the Public Security to claim criminal liability of the infringer. Now the case is in process of further examination.
China Ministry of Commerce issued “Notice on Implementing the Project of Bracing up China Time-honored Brand” in April 2006 and begins to implement the project nationwide to revive the vital force of the China Time-honored brand enterprises.
