Nightclub busted for trademark infringement   

浙江温岭“天上人间”商标侵权 圆凌型铜牌被拆除

虽然温岭“天上人间”否认与北京“天上人间”有关，但细心的网友发现，它悬挂着同样的圆菱型铜牌。2日，记者从温岭市工商局获悉，已立案进行调查，可以确定温岭“天上人间”存在侵权行为。工商部门也责令其拆除圆菱型太阳图案的铜牌。[查看全文]

ECNS -- A high-end nightclub called "Tianshang Renjian" in Wenling, Zhejiang province is the latest to come under fire for using a sign too similar to one trademarked by the famous "Passion Club" in Beijing, according to reports on Tuesday.

Four top nightclubs involved in suspected trademark infringement had already been ordered to close after police launched spot checks at several high-end entertainment venues on May 11.

Yet by June 25, another club bearing a similar name and sign had popped up in Wenling.

Its sign, a large rhombus-shaped, sun-pattern bronze logo hanging above the club's entrance quickly caused speculation about whether it was a copy of Beijing's "Passion Club."

An official at the local Culture Broadcasting Bureau played down the suspected forgery, calling it a "coincidence."

But despite efforts to dispel public concern, the sign was taken down after the local industry and commerce bureau certified it a trademark infringement and launched an investigation.

"Such a practice constitutes a malicious imitation that may mislead consumers," an official at the bureau said.

The newly-opened nightclub does not have a registered trademark, but only a business license. Moreover, the full name used for the registration was "Taiping Tianshang Renjian Nightclub" instead of "Tianshang Renjian Nightclub," the official added.