Trademark ZHINENG
An applicant from the Netherlands wanted to have the sole use of the word "Zhineng" in connection with Qigong as a trademark for himself.
This caused immediately a worldwide reaction from "Zhineng Qigong" practitioners and teachers.
"Zhineng Qigong“ is a creation of Dr. Pang Ming. He is the owner of the natural copyright. Only he has the right to let put down the name for himself as a trademark.
If something is put down as a trademark, one pursues business purposes. For example the impediment of competitors, because these may not use the brand for their product.
Then the next step is the registration of simple processes to the patent. Afterwards the levying of royalties for the use of the patent. Then follow regulations how the patent may be used etc.
However, there is another way: Open Source.
The copyright is fixed, however, one permits to everybody the free use without royalties. This also leads to the general spreading. Almost everybody uses these programs with pleasure.
What is this all about ?
Every "Zhineng Qigong“ practitioner is grateful to Dr. Pang Ming that there is this Qigong system.
The thought for the creation was: To make the forces of "Qi" immediately available to sick persons for the healing and to help - not to earn money.
The commercial thought did not stand in the foreground.
The ambition to help is the motive.
"Zhineng Qigong“ is a very special form of Qigong. Therefore the name has become a generic term which nobody can protect for himself.
Who claims the name "Zhineng“ in connection with Qigong to the sole use for himself is positioning himself beyond this movement.
Now to make it short:
The decision of the O.A.M.I. was suitable and they have joined in the argumentation of the „Observations of third parties“.
The result: "ZHINENG" in all different manners of writing in connection with Qigong may not be used as a trademark.
The decision of O.A.M.I. is final. The trademark "ZHINENG" is registered, but only for things like "fire-extinguishing apparatus" or similar and not in the connection with Qigong. "Zhineng” may not be used with the symbols for trademark or registered in connection with Qigong.
All practitioners and teachers may use the term "Zhineng Qigong" without any restrictions as they did in the past.
The thought to help, to make it possible for everybody to practice, to use, to teach "Zhineng Qigong“ and to have at the same time a clear differentiation to other Qigong in a short term, will absolutely contribute to the further spreading.
My thanks go to all of them, having helped to represent this opinion, sending „Observations of third party“ or filing an opposition and spending money for it.
This is no children's story - It happened these days.
Comments
Post a Comment