China defends its Trump
trademark approvals as in line with law
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[March 10, 2017]
BEIJING
(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump was granted initial approval on
dozens of new trademarks in China because they met legal standards, a
senior Chinese commercial official said on Friday.
China's trademark office in recent weeks green-lighted 38 trademark
applications linked to Trump, giving the U.S. president and his family
protection were they to develop the "Trump" brand in the market.
The ties between politics and business have, however, prompted concern
from politicians and rights groups who say the president could face
potential conflicts of interest related to the extensive business
affairs of his family.
Some U.S. law makers have raised questions about whether Trump's
position as president could prompt preferential treatment of his
businesses.
China examines millions of trademark applications every year and they
are processed according to schedule, Zhang Mao, the head of China's
State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC), told reporters
after a briefing on the sidelines of the country's annual parliament
session.
"Our trademark examination process is open and transparent," said Zhang,
whose SAIC runs the trademarks office.
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Asked by reporters whether their approval was at all linked to Trump's
status as president, Zhang said: "(They) were processed completely
according to trademark law. You can go check."
Trump, a wealthy real estate developer, has previously said he has
handed over his business interests to a trust overseen by one of his
sons and a Trump Organization executive. He can, however, revoke the
trust at will and, as its sole beneficiary, remains linked to it
financially.
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![](../images/031017pics/busine41.jpg)
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a meeting with U.S. House Deputy
Whip team at the East room of the White House in Washington, U.S.
March 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
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The
trademarks - mostly variations in English and Chinese on the name "Donald Trump"
- were given preliminary approval in two lists published by the trademark office
on Feb. 27 and Monday.
They
cover business areas including branded spas, massage parlours, golf clubs,
hotels, insurance, finance and real estate companies, retail shops, restaurants,
bars, and bodyguards.
Trump's lawyers applied for the trademarks in April last year, mostly registered
to "Donald J. Trump" and listing to the address of Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue
in New York.
The preliminary approvals are open to be challenged for around a 90-day period.
Barring objections they will be formally registered in late May and early June
respectively.
Trump and his family, like many business owners, hold trademarks around the
world, from business sectors such as apparel in the Philippines to golf clubs in
Australia and property in Japan and South Korea.
(Reporting by Lusha Zhang and Michael Martina; Editing by Nick Macfie)
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