Groupe Danone SA's trademark dispute with 11-year-old JV partner Hangzhou Wahaha Group has been ruled upon by the Hangzhou Arbitration Commission. The official verdict: Rights to the Wahaha brand name do not belong to the two firm's joint operations — Danone loses. Apparently, a trademark agreement that would have given rights to the JV had expired. Danone disagrees with this finding.

France's Danone has claimed other injustices as well. Earlier this summer, Danone said in a statement that a firm controlled by these companies is "illegally selling products which are the same as those sold by Wahaha Joint Ventures and is making unlawful use of the joint ventures' distributors and suppliers." Danone owns a 51% stake in 39 companies under the venture.
— Baz Hiralal

Go to the story from the AP

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