Interfax reports that a rat poison factory has bought the ‘Muzimei ‘ trademark from the condom factory that registered the name a few weeks ago. Why?
Head of the factory Zhu Hefeng helpfully explains: “Rat poison is dangerous to human health; so is ‘Muzimei'”. Ah yes.
A previous report on Danwei about Mu Zi Mei brand condoms is here. Interfax is here. The whole text of the Interfax report is below.
Rat poison maker beats condom suppliers in the bid for “Muzimei” trademark
“Muzimei”, the pen name of 25-year old Li Li, who has become a household name for her online sex diaries, will be registered as a trademark by a rat poison manufacturer in central China’s Henan Province.
“Rat poison is dangerous to human health; so is ‘Muzimei’,” said Zhu Hefeng, head of the factory, in an interview with Interfax. “We will not use the trademark; instead, we will prevent it from being used in any business.”
Beijing Nanbeitong, a local consulting company in the capital city, has submitted an application to register “Muzimei” as a trademark for condom products. The application was accepted by the Trademark Office about 10 days ago, but has yet to be approved.
“Many companies have contacted us in order to buy the registration right. Among them, there are some contraception and sex-product makers,” Qin Quanyue, of Beijing Nanbeitong, revealed to Interfax.
“Actually, anyone who uses this trademark will face overwhelming criticism and the reason we sold it to the rat poison maker is that they are not going to use it commercially anyway.”
The rat poison factory has signed an agreement with Beijing Nanbeitong for transfer of the trademark registration for a fee of RMB 30,000 (USD 3,624). Once the “Muzimei” trademark is approved by the Trademark Office, the rat poison maker will own the trademark and have the right to use it.