Act of violating Sotheby’s trademark enjoined

The proceedings between UK-based auction house Sotheby's, and another auction firm touting itself as 'Sichuan Sotheby's' or 'Sichuan Su Fu Bi' (pronounced the same as the former in Chinese) at Beijing High People's Court for trademark infringement concludes. The Sichuan firm is enjoined from using Sotheby's.

Sotheby's, established in 1744 in London, United Kingdom, auctions high-end antiques, paintings and other artworks. It filed to the Trademark Office under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce for cross-class registration of its trademarks Sotheby's.

The Sichuan firm, established in December 2003, owned No.3887284 registered trademark, cleared to be used in Class 35, auction services.

The British firm then brought suit at Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court. The trial court issued injunction against the Sichuan firm of the use of the above-mentioned trademarks in auctions and related promotions. The disgruntled Sichuan firm then took it to appeal.