Court awards maximum in battle with firm using HK 'shadow company'

Renowned as a carmaker, BMW prevailed a legal battle in another sector in late 2009 - for its upmarket clothes brand.

The court found that "BMW", "BMW & Device", and the Chinese characters "Baoma" are all well-known trademarks. It was a rare case of the Chinese judicial system recognizing three trademarks at one time.

"By confirming their well-known trademark status, we hope to give such famous brands wider and stronger judicial protection," Presiding Judge Sun Yuanqing told China Daily.

After securing such status, a registered trademark has protection beyond the field where it gained its fame.

Though much more famous as a car brand, BMW expanded into garment making in 2001 when launched its BMW Lifestyle line in cooperation with Hong Kong company Ports.

The clothes marked with the auto icon's familiar white-and-blue concentric circles are usually sold alongside its cars in BMW showrooms.

The dispute began when clothes with a similar logo made by Shenzhen Century Baoma Apparel Co Ltd were found on sale in a Changsha shopping mall.