Michael Jordan sues China's Qiaodan Sports

Basketball star Michael Jordan has filed a lawsuit in China against Qiaodan Sports accusing the sportswear company of unauthorized use of his name, The Wall Street Journal reported. Jordan said in a statement that Qiaodan Sports has profited by illegally using his Chinese version of name “Qiaodan” on its marketing materials and products since the 1980s. “I feel the need to protect my name, my identity, and the Chinese consumers. It’s about principle—protecting my identity and my name,” he said. Jordan has promised to invest any damages in promoting basketball in China. Qiaodan Sports first registered for the rights to use Jordan’s Chinese moniker in 1997, plus the rights to a logo of a basketball player “at bat,” according to the trademark office of China’ State Administration for Industry and Commerce. “[Qiaodan trademark is] in accordance with Chinese laws,” said a Qiaodan Sports spokesman on Thursday.