Recently, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued the Circular on Combating Trademark Registration by Squatting "世界杯" (World Cup) and "拉伊卜"(La'eeb) and Other Words, rejecting 26 applications and invalidating one registered trademark ex officio.

While the 2022 World Cup is in full swing in Qatar, a small number of companies or individuals are attempting to register with malicious intention names of renowned football stars, mascot "LAEEB"/ "拉伊卜"and other trending words or symbols, infringing social and public interest, other people's right to their names and other legitimate rights and interests, and consequently prejudicing our country's well-earned praise for stringent IP protection.

The CNIPA has attached great importance to IP protection for the current edition of the World Cup and acted swiftly to crack down on squatting. The administration rejected 26 applications for trademark registration, including No. 66999855 "世界杯"(World Cup) and No. 63803887 "LAEEB", pursuant to an array of provisions such as Item 7, Paragraph 1, Article 10 of the Chinese Trademark Law. No. 63767652 "LAFEEBS" was declared invalid ex officio pursuant to Paragraph 1, Article 44 of the same law.

The CNIPA intends to remain committed to striking hard at squatting by bolstering protection of the World Cup-related trending words and symbols, including the World Cup, its mascot, and names of star players. The administration will impose sanctions against those applicants who violate the good faith principle and the trademark agencies representing them. It will defend the clean trademark registration administrative order, protect the legitimate rights and interests of market players with authority, and safeguard public interests.(Translated from CNIPA Website Chinese Version)