Final Lacoste verdict

Beijing High People's Court has rendered a final decision on a high-profile legal battle, upholding the validity of the trademark Cartelo owned by a Singaporean company, which was challenged by the French clothing maker Lacoste.The name Cartelo, a Singaporean crocodile, was registered in China in 1993, a move that Lacoste, known for its trademark crocodile imprint, later challenged. The Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) denied that challenge in 2003 and proceeded with registration.

Lacoste filed for re-examination by the Trademark Review Board, a part of SAIC, which affirmed the trademark office's decision in 2005. Lacoste then filed suit in Beijing No1 Intermediate People's Court. The court reversed the trademark review board's decision, which the board and Cartelo went on to appeal. The High Court held that the two trademarks have been coexisting for years and have their respective reputations and distinctiveness, sufficient enough that the general public can distinguish between them. The court then reversed the No 1 court decision and upheld the trademark review board's ruling.

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