Michael Jordan won more often than he lost, just not in China

I was recently asked to weigh in on whether China might be well-advised to consider recognizing the Right of Publicity.  My answer was yes, it should.  Perhaps the recent news of a Chinese court denying Michael Jordan’s effort to stop a Chinese sports apparel company from appropriating his name and jumpman logo amply demonstrates why.  Here’s a link to one article on the topic, though you’ll need a subscription to access the entire article:

http://www.lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/intellectual-property/b/newsheadlines/archive/2015/07/30/michael-jordan-can-39-t-block-sportswear-co-ip-in-china.aspx

Taylor Swift’s right of publicity defense

Taylor Swift recently stood up to Apple’s plans to use music for free, and Apple relented.  Apparently next on her list, Taylor Swift is taking on right of publicity infringements in China.  Her strategy could perhaps be described with  “the best defense is a strong offense.”

The July 21, 2015 edition of Wall Street Journal reports on a variety of licensed goods that Swift is introducing in China.  Taylor Swift’s popularity in China has predictably resulted in a lot of infringing goods in the marketplace.  The best way to combat such a problem, when one has the clout and market potential to do so as Swift does, is to make authorized goods available to meet demand.

Here’s a link to the WSJ article:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/taylor-swift-counters-knockoffs-in-china-1437492360

#rightofpublicity

#China

#infringements

#celebritylicensing

#TaylorSwift

#expertwitness