This is the article on Li Ning and NIke...
http://blog.oregonlive.com/playbooksandprofits/2008/08/li_ning_oneups_adi_dassler_and.html
During our class on Trademarks and Copyrights the issue of the similarities between the emerging chinese sports apparel brand Li Ning and Nike were mentioned. In this article it is interesting to see the similarities of both logos, but it also talks a little about the similarities of the brand's positioning and even the opening one of the first stores in Portland Oregon, HQ of Nike. At the same time, a new aspect of possible copyright infringement is brought up; the slogan that accompanies the logo says "Anything is possible" , amazingly similar to Adidas' "Impossible is Nothing". Here is an excerpt from the article, also above is the link to it:
"Li Ning is also peculiarly Chinese in another way: Its logo is a V-like stroke, suspiciously similar to Nike's "Swoosh", and is accompanied by the slogan "Anything is possible", a clumsy play on Adidas's "Impossible is nothing"."
I think it is also interesting to see how this relates to another aspect discussed druing class: how copyright and trademark law, as possibly all others, become not so clear when the issues involve international companies and different countries legislation.
From other articles I found I could see that the stores opened by the brand also resemble terribly those of Nike. We have not discussed copying a store design in class, but wonder if that would also be considered infringement.
I wonder if there was a sports apparel brand in the U.S. wanting to launch themselves with such logo and such slogan if they would even attempt to obtain licences and approval or if it would mean a huge lawsauit in favor of Nike and Adidas...
Daniel
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I think the biggest issue regarding this would be if the logo and slogan are causing confusion among consumers. If that were the case I think there would be more of arguement made against Li Ning for infringement. Although both the logo and slogan are very similar to that of Nike and Adidas respectively I think there is enough of a difference that the case would be dismissed. With regards to store design, etc. I think that you could make a case for infringement. Again I think it would be an issue of consumer confusion with regards to the store and the products it sells. If confusion occurs than I think there would be a strong case for design infringement.
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