At the recent Asia-Pacific Symposium on Geographical Indication(GI), China was well appraised fro its actions taken to protect foreign GI owners' rights and interests.
In China, the trademark registration is determined by the central office, Chinese Trademark Office under the SAIC and the protection of the trademark is administered by the different agencies ranging from the central level to the local level. Each local administration for industry and commerce is authorized to protect the trademarks and the exclusive rights of GIs.
A typical example is that when Scotch Whisk entered into Chinese market, the infringing activities of illegally using Scotch Whisk's trademark became more and more severe due to the increasing market share in China. Consequently, Scotch Whisk applied for registration of Scotch Whisk and GI application before the Trademark Office of State Administration for Industry and Commerce on February 2 in 2007. The Trademark Office approved its application on May 28 in 2008, which effectively prohibited the illegal infringing activities affecting the exclusive right of GI trademark of Scotch Whisk, and protect the legal rights and interests of the trademark holders as well as the users.
