Trademarks are protected and enforced in most countries, and for good reason. By guaranteeing the uniqueness of individual logos, brand names, slogans and the like, not only are the owners of those items ensured the ability to practice their brands in a fair marketplace, but consumers can also be sure that they know what they are buying and from whom they are buying. But that's in most countries...China is, shall we say - different!
Take 3M, the makers of fine products like Scotch Tape, Post-it Notes, and countless other top notch products. One specialty area for this fine company is reflective film and tape.
You see this technology everywhere;
on police cars
Road signs
and trucks - especially on trucks to make them more visible at night
Well, while riding through Shanghai during a recent trip, watching the ever entertaining bloodsport known in China as "driving", I caught a glimpse of a passing truck and something looked a bit odd.
When we caught back up, sure enough here is what was wrong.
This got my attention (it was a quiet day). I started looking at reflective tape on all of the passing trucks and more than half of those which displayed a brand name read "3N". I had to laugh. I pointed this out to my Chinese counterpart Larry, but he just shrugged and looked at me as if to say "what's the big deal?".
I suspect the folks at 3M are aware of this obvious attempt at trickery, but I wish them luck in enforcing their trademark in such a country.
