MUJI Involved in Trademark Infringement in Hangzhou

MUJI, a grocery brand of Ryohin Keikaku Co.,Ltd. (a Japan-based company mainly engaged in the retail of self brand goods), has always worshiped the idea of “no brand.” However, MUJI has confronted frustration in China’s market. Early in 1999, the trademark “无印良品DUMOUT and its image” had been registered by Hangzhou DUMOUT Garments Co., Ltd. (Hangzhou DUMOUT) on the category of class 18, and approved to be used on the wares such as wallets, rucksacks, shopping bags, handbags, traveling bags, briefcases, school bags, key cases, leather slipcovers, umbrellas, etc. In the written verdicts for the involved trademark disputes by the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce of PRC (the Board), Ryohin Keikaku Co.,Ltd. had filed an application for revoking the No. 134805 “无印良品DUMOUT and its image” trademark on December 27th 2004. Holding the view that the applicator’s reason for revocation was insufficient, the Board determined that the involved trademark was owned by Hangzhou DUMOUT. Discovering that MUJI are selling the infringing goods, Hangzhou DUMOUT made a series of complaints to relevant department. Recently, the relevant department had temporally detained the infringing umbrellas, bags and suitcases, and other infringing goods belonging to MUJI.