Sanrio Brand Licensor Says The Darndest Things, Or Maybe Not

TGIF

Peter Ollier wrote an article about how Disney and Sanrio are licensing some of their brands in China.

Licensable "cuteness" popular among Hong Kong population
Lanham Place, Mong Kok
Photo: Danny Friedmann

Roberto Lanzi, president of Sanrio Consumer Products for Europe, Middle East and Africa, was speaking at a panel called "Licensing and the flourishing region: Asia", at a conference during the 10th annual Hong Kong International Licensing Show. Mr Lanzi said that he was the only speaker on the panel that did not hate counterfeits.

He claimed to feel relieved when he once saw fake Hello Kitty products being sold in Hong Kong's Ladies Market:

"When Hello Kitty disappears from there we might be dead."

However, the Ladies Market in Mongkok, has been removed by the USTR from the list of Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets, on December 20, 2011, see here.
Maybe that is the reason why Mr Lanzi is president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, and not Asia.

UPDATE: In a reaction (still have to verify the identity of commenter) Roberto Lanzi wrote: "I never mentioned Lady's market, I spoke about Temple Street and I was just jocking. Best regards Roberto"

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Golden Combination: Chow Tai Fook and Disney

"You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes," said Winnie the Pooh.

Winnie the Pooh: "All this gold makes me crave for ... honey."
Exhibition at Yitian Holiday Plaza,
Windows of the World, Shenzhen
Photo Danny Friedmann

Now Winnie is talking the talk and walking the walk, since Disney joined forces with Hong Kong jewelry chain store Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd., that just was listed to the Hang Seng Stock Exchange (and as of today is part of the Hong Kong Global Composite Index and Hong Kong Composite Index, see here). 

Chow Tai Fook raised 2 billion U.S. dollars in its Initial Public Offering to get enough funds to realise its plan to expand its points of sale in China, Hong Kong and Macau to 2,000 stores by 2016. Now, Chow Tai Fook has around 1,500 stores, mostly in China. In Macau it has about 80 stores. Chow Tai Fook also has stores in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. 

Chow Tai Fook was awarded Disney's product licence, see here, to take advantage from the recognition of Disney's  iconic bear (which, according to girls and even grown up women has a high "cuteness" factor) and combine it with the jewelry retail expertise of Chow Tai Fook in China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Do you consider to engage in co-branding and you want to know more information about the legal implications, contact ipdragon at gmail.

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"Disney Is Too Far", Let's Start An Unauthorised State-Owned Amusement Park

In 2005 the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was opened. It was build by the Government of Hong Kong and the Walt Disney Company. So far it is the only Disney related amusement park in China. Or so we thought. Japanese bloggers, however, have discovered an unauthorised Disney themepark in China that is state-owned: Beijing's Shijingshan's Amusement Park, which uses the slogan: "Disney is too far"

Not only is the park invested by Disney cartoon figures, such as Micky Mouse and Donald Duck but also by Japanese animation figures such as Hello Kitty and Doraemon. James of Japan Probe has the story, pictures and especially check out the videos posted, see here.

This news does not only show that IPR infringment in China is still rampant, but also the development Japan has made. From one of the great IPR infringers, only a few decades ago, to one of the leading innovators/creators and IPR law abiding nations of IPR owners in the world. China will likely follow Japan's path (probably at an even faster pace).

UPDATE: Why The Mouse Had To Go Out of Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park

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MPAA Victorious Against Shanghai Leying; So Far Damages Have Been Peanuts

So far three out of the seven American film production companies won in piracy cases in Shanghai, March 7, 2007. The Chinese Law Digest found this story in the Shanghai Youth Daily (Chinese):

"Initiated by the Motion Picture Association of America, seven American film production companies, including Warner Bros. sued Shanghai Leying Audio and Video Production Company for pirating movies, such as “Lord of the Rings I,” and claimed more than 3,430,000 RM in compensation."

'On March 6, the Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People’s Court issued a judgment on three cases, requiring that Leying stop selling pirated DVDs and compensate New Line Cinema in the amount of 7,000 RMB, Disney in the amount of 12,000 RMB, and Warner Bros. in the amount of 6,000 RMB. Another court session will hear the four other cases.'

The China Law Digest is a bilingual, monthly web digest detailing the latest news and developments on contemporary Chinese law and legal scholarship (including sometimes intellectual property law). You can get a free subscription here.

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