Li Yundi: dispute over a famous person’s name

As Shenzhen Futian Yundi Piano Store had registered the trademark Yundi and a related device for such goods as pianos, the famous pianist Li Yundi filed an application with the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (TRAB) of the State Administration for Industry & Commerce for the cancellation of that trademark on the grounds that it infringed his right to his name.

The TRAB rejected Li Yundi’s request on grounds of a lack of evidence that the registration of the Yundi trademark was carried out in subjective bad faith. Li Yundi then instituted an administrative action in respect of the ruling in the Beijing First Intermediate People’s Court (the court of first instance).

Entity involved in the dispute

In the administrative action, the court ascertained that the owner of a shop called Yundi Piano Store, and the registrant of the trademark Yundi, was a certain Le Beili.

Wang Yadong is executive partner, and Helen Wu is a lawyer, at Run Ming Law Office