From the case of MUJI trademark infringement, the importance of corporate trademark protection is seen.

"MUJI" was founded in Japan and means "quality goods without labels". In many years of business development, MUJI has accumulated a large number of fans for its natural and simple lifestyle. MUJI is also known as a brand with a certain reputation and reputation in China.

However, in the process of shopping, consumers found that there were two different MUJI products, one store named "MUJI | Natural Mill" and the other store named"Muji|MUJI"In addition to the English letters in the store name, the interior decoration of the store, the goods sold and even the price composition are almost the same, which makes it difficult for consumers to identify for a time. Some consumers even think that they are two sub brands of the same company for different markets. Not only shopping offline, but also searching for "MUJI" on Tmall, there will also be two stores, "MUJI Official Flagship Store" and "MUJI Flagship Store.

Recently, a trademark infringement case on "MUJI" revealed the true relationship between the two companies. It turns out that the brand "MUJI | Natural Mill" belongs to Chinese companies Beijing MUJI Investment Co., Ltd. and Beijing Miantian Textile Co., Ltd.Muji|MUJI"This brand belongs to the Japanese company's good product plan. The trademark lawsuit is mainly because MUJI uses the "MUJI" trademark in the production and sale of mattresses, blankets and other goods, which constitutes infringement. The disputed trademark involves the trademark 24 "Muji" trademark, and the trademark covers products such as cotton fabrics, bed sheets, towels, pillowcases and quilt covers. In the end, the court ruled that MUJI lost the lawsuit, demanding that the infringement be stopped immediately, and that Beijing MUJI Investment Co., Ltd. and Beijing Miantian Textile Co., Ltd. be compensated for a total of 620000 yuan. In addition, the trademark lawsuit has nothing to do with MUJI's brand, store name or other categories of products.

The trademark "MUJI" was registered by Hainan Nanhua Industrial Trading Company on April 6, 2000. It was used in 24 categories (cotton fabrics, towels, bed sheets, pillowcases, quilt covers, etc.) and was transferred to Beijing Miantian Textile Co., Ltd. on July 21, 2004. Beijing Muji Investment Co., Ltd. was established in 2011, and Beijing Miantian authorized Beijing Muji to use the trademark exclusively in China. The reason why MUJI lost this time is that Hainan Nanhua Industrial Trading Company applied for the trademark of "Muji" in 24 categories before MUJI. According to the principle of trademark protection in China, to protect the previously registered trademarks, MUJI lost the lawsuit precisely because the company's good product plan did not do a good job in the layout of intellectual property rights in China, so it was first taken by other companies, caught in the quagmire of trademark disputes, and even appeared a series of counterfeit goods to seize their own market share.

Different from other well-known enterprises involved in trademark disputes in China, Japan's good products plan to carry out relevant trademark layout in China very early. Starting from November 17, 1999, Japan's good product plan applied to the trademark office for registration."Muji"trademark, but its main application is used in goods and services in categories 16, 20, 21, 35 and 41, but it has not applied for registration in goods in category 24."Muji"Trademark, which also foreshadowed a series of trademark disputes in the future. On April 26, 2001, the "Good Products Plan of Corporation" filed an objection to the Trademark Office against the trademark. After 8 years, the Trademark Office and the Trademark Review and Adjudication Board both ruled that the opposed trademark should be approved for registration. Later, the company's good product plan filed a lawsuit with the court. Unfortunately, after the first instance and the second instance, the Supreme People's Court finally made a final judgment, upholding the original judgment, and Beijing Miantian Company won the case.

The loss of MUJI this time is obviously a typical dispute case caused by the "overseas rush registration" of a well-known trademark. Muji Japan has a large number of products, but when it applied for a trademark, it did not make reasonable sorting and planning for these products and the products that may be extended in the future, which led to the incomplete protection categories, allowing others to take advantage of the opportunity. Moreover, because the trademark "Muji" involved in the case has been highly influential and well-known after long-term publicity and use on 24 categories of goods, which has further improved the value of the trademark, but now we can only hand over this big cake.

The lesson of MUJI also warns other enterprises that the protection of trademarks needs to be planned in advance, adjusted in time according to the business field of the enterprise, and to prevent the trademark from being maliciously registered in other fields. Before enterprises open up overseas markets, they must first understand the laws and regulations of the corresponding countries and do a good job in the layout of intellectual property rights. The trademark is the beginning for consumers to understand an enterprise. Only through trademark registration, can their products obtain a legal identity in the corresponding country, so as to lay a good foundation for future career development. Expanding overseas markets, intellectual property rights first, this should become a consensus.