Michael Jordan Suing a Chinese Sportswear Company


Michael Jordan filed a lawsuit against a company in China that he alleges illegally used his brand. From the NY Times: “The former basketball star Michael Jordan filed a lawsuit Thursday against Qiaodan Sports, a Chinese sportswear company, for unauthorized use of his Chinese name. In the lawsuit, the former Chicago Bulls guard accused the Chinese company of building a sportswear brand around the name he is known by in China — Qiaodan — as well as using a logo that resembles him playing basketball. Qiaodan also sells merchandise with two other Chinese names that match those of Jordan’s two children, the lawsuit says. Jordan released a statement and a video saying he was suing because he was ‘deeply disappointed to see a company build a business off my Chinese name without my permission, use the number 23 and even attempt to use the names of my children.’ Qiaodan, based in Fujian Province in southern China, had about $270 million in revenue through the first half of last year, and $45 million in profit.”