Vol. 2, No.1 - January 28, 2002
TOPICS THIS ISSUE:
- Beijing Moves to Assure Rights of IOC Patrons
- Nike Promises More Support for the Development of China Sports
- Another Chinese Player Signed to WUSA
- Russian-Chinese Relationship in Sport Discussed in China
- CCTV Closer To World Cup Rights
Beijing Moves to Assure Rights of IOC Patrons
Beijing is strengthening efforts to keep its promises to ensure an Olympic Games free of infringements on Olympic intellectual property rights. At present, the State Council is preparing nationwide regulations to provide legal support for Olympic intellectual property rights following Beijing's issuance of a local regulation in November.
Wang Yefei, vice-director of the Beijing Intellectual Property Office stated that "many people are unaware that their goodwill actions of promoting the Olympic Games have actually hurt the interests of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The majority of the public have no idea competitors in the same business with IOC patrons are not allowed to be connected with Olympic-related intellectual property, as stated in the Olympic Charter and IOC's contract with Olympic host cities. Infringements could violate the IOC's contracts with patrons and, as a result, the Olympic host city will be given less funds and subsidies."
The new regulation, enforced in a couple of months, will provide stronger support for Beijing, he said. However, he added some people are purposely using the Olympic Games to promote their products. The municipal government has said it is determined to take action to stop such infringements.
This month, several municipal governmental departments, including the Intellectual Property Office, the Industrial Office, the Commercial Administration Bureau, the Copyright Bureau and the Public Security Bureau, will join forces to hold frequent check-ups around the city. The check-ups will focus on outdoor advertisements, commercial and public welfare advertisements publicized on radio, TV, newspapers and web-sites, as well as souvenirs. Promotions, performances and other activities that relate to the Olympic Games will also be included in the inspection.
According to the regulation, all unauthorized utilization of the five-ring Olympic symbol, the Olympic motto, anthem, logo and special terms - such as Olympic, Olympics, Olympiad, Olympic Games, Beijing 2008 and their respective Chinese terms - are not allowed.
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Organizing Committee has also set up a legal affairs department, said to be "unprecedented, underlining how high our legal awareness has reached," according to Liu Yan, a senior official of the department. "The establishment of the legal department is the first ever in the history of Chinese sports."
The department will deal with related legal matters and help protect the IOC's interests. China has issued a series of laws on intellectual property protection, including the Patent Law, the Trademark Law and the Copyright Law.
(Source: Chinanet.org)
Nike Promises More Support for the Development of China Sports
Nike Inc., one of the biggest sports sponsors in China, promised more support to the development of China's sports after it announced Tuesday a series of changes designed to further accelerate the growth of its Asia Pacific Region.
The Asia Pacific branch announced that the Hong Kong and China mainland operations will be consolidated and that the consolidated operation will be under the leadership of Adam Koo.
Nike stated that "with the Beijing 2008 Olympics, China's entry into the WTO and its permanent MFN (Most Favored Nation) treatment, China represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Nike," said Eunan McLaughlin, vice president of the Asia Pacific Region.
One of the purposes of integration is to put up more efforts and resources to support Beijing's 2008 Olympics, said Nike, which has had a growing market in Asia in past years.
It has grown by 31 percent during the last three fiscal years and the region recorded fiscal year 2001 revenues of 1.1 billion U. S. dollars.
Koo, 46, who joined Nike in 1992, was previously the general manager of Nike Hong Kong. He will be based in Shanghai, China.
(Source: China Daily)
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Another Chinese Player Signed to WUSA
Midfielder Pu Wei signed with the Washington Freedom on Wednesday, becoming the seventh Chinese national player to be recruited to the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) league. Pu, 21, the captain of the Chinese national team, became the fourth international player for the Freedom, joining her compatriot Bai Jie, Brazil's Roseli, and Finland's Anne Makinen.
Among other Chinese players in the WUSA include Sun Wen, who plays with the Atlanta Beat, Wen Lirong for Carolina Courage, Gao Hong for New York Power, Liu Ailing for Philadelphia Charge and Fan Yunjie for San Diego Spirit.
(Source: Xinhuanet)
Russian-Chinese Relationship in Sport Discussed in China
Heads of the Russian State Sport Committee and the Chinese Main State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport agreed to develop sport exchange programs between the two countries and signed a bilateral plan of sport exchange programs for 2002-2003 for the first time within the last ten years.
These agreements were reached during the 2nd meeting of the Russian-Chinese sub-commission for sporting relationships in Beijing.
The two-year plan of sport exchange programs envisages the participation of Russian and Chinese sport delegations in competitions in Russia and China and holding joint training sessions in boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, weightlifting, U-Shu, swimming, and other sports. The delegations also agreed to support the development of their national sports. The Chinese masters and coaches of the oriental single combat sports will further the development of U-Shu (the traditional Chinese martial art) in Russia. And Russian sportsmen will help to develop Russian hockey in China.
(Source Pravda)
CCTV Closer To World Cup Rights
China Central Television (CCTV) stands a better chance than before of securing the right to broadcast the 2002 World Cup on the mainland, with the withdrawal of its Hong Kong competitor from bidding, according to media reports. Ma Guoli, director of CCTV's sports center, denied any knowledge about the withdrawal of an undisclosed Hong Kong media company. "So far we haven't been notified of this development," Ma said. "The biggest problem is still the price." Hong Kong media reported yesterday that the Special Administrative Region's broadcasting company, reportedly a satellite TV station, had withdrawn from the bidding.
CCTV is now in talks with Germany's KirchMedia, the authorized marketing company for the World Cup, for the broadcasting rights. However, China's official TV station operator may have trouble matching the prices offered by other regional networks, including a Singapore TV station. CCTV is reportedly offering US$12 million for the rights to broadcast both the 2002 and 2006 World Cup matches. Its competitors, meanwhile, are reported to be offering US$12 million just for next year's tournament. Analysts said the World Cup organizers would also consider commercial interest in the country where the game is broadcast.
The month-long tournament is expected to generate 100 million yuan (US$12 million) in advertising revenue, according to Yuan Feng, executive supervisor of CCTV's central viewer survey and consulting center.
On the Chinese mainland, there are about 400 million football fans, most of whom watch matches on television, according to industry sources. The figure is expected to jump 50 percent during the World Cup finals as China has qualified for the competition for the first time. The slight time differences between South Korea, Japan and China will also guarantee large viewership.
(Source: Xinhua News Agency)
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