Lin-sane trademark

Before the shortened, highly anticipated and extremely competitive 66 game season of the NBA most people did not even know Jeremy Lin.

But most people do not include the Chinese manufacturer Wuxi Risheng Utility Co which makes about once million basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls a year.

Either by a fortunate coincidence or a premonition of Lin’s success in the NBA the Asian company bought the trademark of Lin’s name in the Chinese language. “Lin Shuhao” or the shortened version S.H.L. was acquired legitimately through a Chinese entity that authorized the company to use the name for commercial purposes.

 A year later when the Taiwanese descendant player became an instant sports celebrity and the company did not hesitate on putting their rights to use.

As you can imagine, this did not set well for the Harvard graduate or his sponsor company: Nike. Only months before the Linsanity became a symptom that every New Yorker had voluntarily acquired the American company had signed an exclusive deal with the player for three years. Nike Co had full proprietorship of his name and image but did not anticipate that someone across the planet had already purchased the name for only $710 dollars.

It is uncertain if Nike can actually do anything against the Chinese company, following the commerce policies in China the company obtained the rights legally and could potentially sell their property for whatever value the may choose. This can become very costly operation for Nike, considering thefact that the player has now an immense popularity in Asia.

As per the name “Linsanity” the player himself applied for the trademark and is possible he will get the rights. Lin had to justify his intention of commercializing with this name unlike Wuxi Risheng, which according to the Chinese law did not have to prove their intention to capitalize on whatever name they decide to register.