Thailand battles a Chinese company in a trademark case

 

Whilst in Chengdu, China, a Thai government official happened to note that that the signs on Wowo Inc.'s convenience stores (left) was similar to the Thai national flag (below). A complaint followed to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and this led to revocation of Wowo's trademark.
 
As a result Wowo in March filed civil litigation in the Beijing courts to overturn decision, arguing there was no resemblance to the Thai flag.
 
IP Komodo readers can make their own minds up. The real issue is how Thailand is focusing ever more on IP, even to the extent of bringing cases in China. That has to be good for SE Asia's IP development.