In March 2015, China’s Trademark Review and Adjudication Board (“TRAB”) granted well-known status to Tiffany and Company’s (“Tiffany”) TIFFANY and TIFFANY & CO. trademarks. The recognition serves as a powerful tool, enabling Tiffany to prevent the dilution of its world-famous marks.
As it expanded, Tiffany has registered its numerous trademarks in China for a variety of goods and services, particularly in Class 14 for “precious metal, vessel of precious metal and products coated with precious metal; jewelry; precious stones; jade; chronographs (clocks and watches).”
Tiffany has filed various actions, including oppositions and cancellation actions, against companies that have tried to improperly benefit from the fame and reputation of its marks. In particular, Tiffany has opposed applications for nine confusingly similar marks filed in Classes 7 (heavy machinery); 12 (all types of transportation vehicles); 27 (home furnishings); 30, 31, and 33 (various food and beverage items); 34 (cigarettes) and 40 (material processing). In each of these oppositions, the TRAB issued decisions recognizing the well-known status of Tiffany’s marks across a variety of classes in which the marks were not registered. These decisions are important as Tiffany was able to enforce its rights against applications for goods and services that are not typically associated with fashion and luxury products. These decisions will be powerful tools to enable Tiffany to enforce its rights against infringers across a wide range of industries.