China looks to stop illegal trademarks of Olympians

The Chinese Olympic Committee has vowed to "help protect Chinese Olympians against the illegal use of their names as trademarks." Several Chinese star athletes saw their names "registered as trademarks in various categories, including alcohol, sportswear, and tutoring industries," following their success at the Tokyo Games. There were "at least 19 trademark applications" related to the name of 14-year-old Quan Hongchan, who won Olympic gold in the women's 10m platform diving, in just one week after the Olympics, according to media reports. The COC in a statement said it "wants to remind all that business activities should be conducted in a rational manner and in accordance with the relevant laws. The legitimate rights and interests of athletes must be respected. ... Any registration of athletes' names as trademarks without the authorization of athletes themselves or their guardians is forbidden. Any offenders must stop their action" (XINHUA, 8/18).