Christie's is suing a Hong Kong auction house with a similar name
ARTinvestment.RU   16 ноября 2012

Name of the Hong Kong auction house Chritrs Group in Chinese sounds exactly the same as Christie's, and write two names only differ by one letter, or rather, the character. Hong Kong's auction house poses as Christie's, said the p

One of the world's leading auction - Christie's has decided to compete in the trial with leading art market of the world - China. Subpoena received Hong Kong auction house Chritrs Group, whose name suspiciously similar to Christie's. When read in Chinese both names sound the same, but in the Chinese spelling of the two houses only difference is one letter, or rather, the character. The plaintiffs argue that Chritrs Group impersonating Christie's.

Christie's decided to sue the Hong Kong auction house after their Asian customers began to confuse the two auctioneers and auction ascribe Chritrs Group London auction house. Christie's lawyers argue that the Hong Kong auction house, use a similar name, deliberately misleading customers, playing on the authority of the brand Christie's.

Defendants argue that their sales are published and that the name of their auction house in all of these publications is written differently. Chritrs company registered in Hong Kong and, according to their site, is working on the art market for several years, it has 10 offices around the world, including in China, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as in London and New York.

Christie's injunction requires the use of the name Chritrs. In addition, the London auction house ad published in several Chinese publications that Chritrs Group has nothing to do with them.

A similar lawsuit was in place four years ago. Then the plaintiffs Sotheby's, and the defendant was another Hong Kong auctioneer with a similar name. Then it Sotheby's won.

Prepared Maria Onuchina, AI

Source: artinvestment.ru