Moulin Rouge attempts to wipe out namesake registration

The case lodged by the world famous dance performance company Moulin Rouge challenging the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB) under the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC) was taken by Beijing No.1 Intermediate Court recently.

Moulin Rouge means the Red Mill, and is world-famous night show club based in Brussels, Belgium. In April 2003, a Xiamen-based night bar with the name of Red Mill filed for registration of Moulin Rouge and the its figure as trademark and attained approval on Class 43 of services of night bar, coffee bar and tea house. Moulin Rouge then challenged the trademark before the Trademark Office ( TMO) and later brought before the TRAB for reexamination. With denial from the TRAB, the disgruntled Moulin Rouge brought the case to the court and sought reversal of the TRAB decision.

We will follow the development of the case.