I was fortunate enough to receive an invitation to lecture at the Center for Intellectual Property Rights at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, one of the top 100 universities in China according to the Minister of Education. It is the home the National Center for the Study of Intellectual Property. Zhongnan is unique in that intellectual property is its own school; it is not part of the school of law. This shows the new emphasis that China has on intellectual property rights. The University is fortunate to have an internationally known intellectual property scholar as its president.

However, I am not yet in Wuhan, but staying a few days in Beijing. And what was I faced with, but a case of famous mark dilution, at least under US law. Please see the attached image. Can you identify the famous U.S. trademarks? The text under the symbols reads in English "Jewelry & Jade Garden," so no likelihood of confusion.

I walked around near my hotel a little, before heading back to finish grading (pathetic, I know). My first impression of the city is that is a very developed, cosmopolitan city, much like most other capital cities. However, I don't think I ever had the opportunity to eat fried scorpion on a stick anywhere else. And, no, I did not eat any. I am a gastronomic wimp.

Tomorrow, I will visit the Forbidden City and the summer palace, and hopefully have some Peking Duck (Is that a geographic indication of origin?). More updates to follow.