Title: Michael Jordan Fights for His Name in China’s Highest Court

Content: <div id='article-page'><div id='article-content' data-media-url='//news-app-staging.s3.amazonaws.com' data-base-url='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/MJ_audio.m4a' data-capture-url='//staging.analytics.lingraphica.com/events/capture_news' data-article-title='Michael Jordan Fights for His Name in Chinas Highest Court' data-article-id='378'><script src='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/javascripts/getscripts.js'></script><link rel='stylesheet' href='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/stylesheets/article.css' type='text/css' /><div class='article'><p><span data-start-time='0' data-end-time='8979'>Basketball star Michael Jordan’s lawyers said last Friday they will take a case to China's supreme court. </span> <span data-start-time='8979' data-end-time='16938'>The case deals with a Chinese sports company using trademarks relating to Mr. Jordan. </span> <span data-start-time='16938' data-end-time='28854'>There are several other cases in Chinese courts that say Chinese companies are using brand names without the permission of their owners.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='28854' data-end-time='36646'>The former Chicago Bulls star first sued Qiaodan Sports in 2012. </span> <span data-start-time='36646' data-end-time='48083'>He said the sports clothing company had used his Chinese name and famous jersey number 23 to build its business. </span> <span data-start-time='48083' data-end-time='57000'>The company in southern Fujian province did not have his permission to use the name or number.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='57000' data-end-time='65271'>Earlier this year, a court decided that Qiaodan could legally use the name. </span> <span data-start-time='65271' data-end-time='72563'>The Beijing Municipal High People's Court recently agreed with the decision.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='72563' data-end-time='84250'>“In light of the trademark dispute ruling,” the lawyers said in a statement, “We intend to appeal to the Supreme People's Court for retrial." </span> <span data-start-time='84250' data-end-time='95375'>The legal team added that they also are involved in a separate case with Qiaodan Sports over the rights to name some products.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='95375' data-end-time='103896'>The name “Qiaodan" is the way Chinese write Michael Jordan’s surname, or family name. </span> <span data-start-time='103896' data-end-time='110625'>Basketball is a popular sport in China where many admire Mr. Jordan. </span> <span data-start-time='110625' data-end-time='119583'>Another basketball superstar is Chinese-born former Houston Rockets player Yao Ming.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='119583' data-end-time='125833'>Ren Juan is a member of Qiaodan Sports' legal department. </span> <span data-start-time='125833' data-end-time='130146'>She was asked about the latest court decision.</span> <span data-start-time='130146' data-end-time='137646'>She answered saying: Qiaodan Sports will respect the judgment of the court.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='137646' data-end-time='147042'>In 2013, Qiaodan Sports sued Michael Jordan for harming people’s opinions of the company. </span> <span data-start-time='147042' data-end-time='154250'>Qiaodan asked for $8 million in damages to its reputation.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='154250' data-end-time='164250'>Mr. Jordan's case is one of several that involve foreign companies and trademark rights in China.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='164250' data-end-time='174042'>Apple paid $60 million in 2012 to a Chinese company that owned the iPad trademark. </span> <span data-start-time='174042' data-end-time='189188'>Official Chinese media reported last month that a company with ties to U.S. shoemaker New Balance had lost a trademark case against a Chinese company.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='189188' data-end-time='195625'>Forbes Magazine says Mr. Jordan’s wealth is valued at $1 billion. </span> <span data-start-time='195625' data-end-time='201000'>He is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets basketball team. </span> <span data-start-time='201000' data-end-time='207063'>He also has a contract with Nike, which makes Air Jordan shoes.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='207063' data-end-time='209250'>I’m Mario Ritter.</span> </p></div><div class='control-buttons-sticky' style='display:none;'><div class='control-buttons'><button title='Back' class='back' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Play' class='play' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Pause' class='pause' style='display:none;'></button><button title='Forward' class='forward' disabled='disabled'></button><button class='finished-reading' style='display:none;'>Done</button></div></div></div><div id='article-media'><div id='media-image'><img src='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/mj_image.jpg'/></div></div><div id='question-content' style='display:none;'><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2236 data-hint-location='147042' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/what_does_reputation_mean.m4a'>What does reputation mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='the way in which people think of someone'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_favorable_outcome.m4a'><span>a favorable outcome</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/the_way_in_which_people_think_of_someone.m4a'><span>the way in which people think of someone</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_legal_process.m4a'><span>a legal process</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_unique_trait.m4a'><span>a unique trait</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2237 data-hint-location='28854' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/what_does_sue_mean.m4a'>What does sue mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='to use a legal process to force someone to give you something or to do something'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_favorable_outcome.m4a'><span>a favorable outcome</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_belief_about_someone.m4a'><span>a belief about someone</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/to_use_a_legal_process_to_force_someone_to_give_you_something_or_to_do_something.m4a'><span>to use a legal process to force someone to give you something or to do something</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_unique_trait.m4a'><span>a unique trait</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2238 data-hint-location='8979' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/what_does_trademark_mean.m4a'>What does trademark mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='something that identifies a company's product and cannot be used by another'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_favorable_outcome.m4a'><span>a favorable outcome</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_belief_about_someone.m4a'><span>a belief about someone</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/a_legal_process.m4a'><span>a legal process</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/something_that_identifies_a_companys_product_and_cannot_be_used_by_another.m4a'><span>something that identifies a company's product and cannot be used by another</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2239 data-hint-location='28854' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/what_is_the_name_of_the_company_that_jordan_is_taking_legal_action_against.m4a'>What is the name of the company that Jordan is taking legal action against?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='Qiaodan'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/samsung.m4a'><span>Samsung</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/reebok.m4a'><span>Reebok</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/nike.m4a'><span>Nike</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/qiaodan.m4a'><span>Qiaodan</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2240 data-hint-location='0' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/where_is_jordans_case_being_taken.m4a'>Where is Jordan's case being taken?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='Chinese Supreme Court'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/us_supreme_court.m4a'><span>U.S. Supreme Court</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/chinese_supreme_court.m4a'><span>Chinese Supreme Court</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/municipal_court.m4a'><span>Municipal Court</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/chinese_federal_court.m4a'><span>Chinese Federal Court</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2241 data-hint-location='0' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/what_sport_did_michael_jordan_play.m4a'>What sport did Michael Jordan play?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='basketball'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/swimming.m4a'><span>swimming</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/football.m4a'><span>football</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/basketball.m4a'><span>basketball</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/tennis.m4a'><span>tennis</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2242 data-hint-location='137646' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/qiaodan_sports_sued_michael_jordan_for_harming_the_companys__blank_.m4a'>Qiaodan Sports sued Michael Jordan for harming the company's <span class='blank'>reputation</span>.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='reputation'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/production.m4a'><span>production</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/sales.m4a'><span>sales</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/reputation.m4a'><span>reputation</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/business.m4a'><span>business</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2243 data-hint-location='95375' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/the_name_qiaodan_is_the_way_chinese_write_jordans__blank_.m4a'>The name 'Qiaodan' is the way Chinese write Jordan's <span class='blank'>last name</span>.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='last name'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/last_name.m4a'><span>last name</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/number.m4a'><span>number</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/sport.m4a'><span>sport</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/first_name.m4a'><span>first name</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2244 data-hint-location='48083' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/the_company_did_not_have_jordans__blank__to_use_the_name_or_number.m4a'>The company did not have Jordan's <span class='blank'>permission</span> to use the name or number.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='permission'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/friendship.m4a'><span>friendship</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/facts.m4a'><span>facts</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/information.m4a'><span>information</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/148/permission.m4a'><span>permission</span></div></div></div><div class='question-buttons'><button class='skip-button'></button><button class='hint-button'></button><button class='speak-button'></button></div></div></div>

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Basketball star Michael Jordan’s lawyers said last Friday they will take a case to China's supreme court. The case deals with a Chinese sports company using trademarks relating to Mr. Jordan. There are several other cases in Chinese courts that say Chinese companies are using brand names without the permission of their owners.

The former Chicago Bulls star first sued Qiaodan Sports in 2012. He said the sports clothing company had used his Chinese name and famous jersey number 23 to build its business. The company in southern Fujian province did not have his permission to use the name or number.

Earlier this year, a court decided that Qiaodan could legally use the name. The Beijing Municipal High People's Court recently agreed with the decision.

“In light of the trademark dispute ruling,” the lawyers said in a statement, “We intend to appeal to the Supreme People's Court for retrial." The legal team added that they also are involved in a separate case with Qiaodan Sports over the rights to name some products.

The name “Qiaodan" is the way Chinese write Michael Jordan’s surname, or family name. Basketball is a popular sport in China where many admire Mr. Jordan. Another basketball superstar is Chinese-born former Houston Rockets player Yao Ming.

Ren Juan is a member of Qiaodan Sports' legal department. She was asked about the latest court decision. She answered saying: Qiaodan Sports will respect the judgment of the court.

In 2013, Qiaodan Sports sued Michael Jordan for harming people’s opinions of the company. Qiaodan asked for $8 million in damages to its reputation.

Mr. Jordan's case is one of several that involve foreign companies and trademark rights in China.

Apple paid $60 million in 2012 to a Chinese company that owned the iPad trademark. Official Chinese media reported last month that a company with ties to U.S. shoemaker New Balance had lost a trademark case against a Chinese company.

Forbes Magazine says Mr. Jordan’s wealth is valued at $1 billion. He is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets basketball team. He also has a contract with Nike, which makes Air Jordan shoes.

I’m Mario Ritter.

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