Japan's Mitsuoka Motor to expand into China next year

Japan's Mitsuoka Motor Co said Tuesday that it plans to expand into the Chinese market next year now that its trademark dispute with a Chinese firm has been resolved, reports Kyodo News.

The automaker, based in the northern central Japan city of Toyama, will begin to sell the new versions of the Orochi supercar and the Himiko convertible car in China next year following their debut in Japan Wednesday, the report said, citing company officials.

When planning its expansion into China in 2005, Mitsuoka, which sells some 500 uniquely designed cars annually, found a Chinese auto parts maker in Shanghai had registered the trademark of Mitsuoka and demanded a high price for the registered trademark.

Based on Article 44 (biz 4) of Chinese Trademark Law, if a registered trademark is not used in three consecutive years after registration, anyone can file cancellation application against it at the Chinese Trademark Office.

The Chinese authorities have already accepted Mitsuoka's request for the cancellation of the registered trademark, paving the way for its business operations in China, the officials said.