(Image source: newsone.com)


BY REGINA C. WANG

Note to celebrities: Make sure you copyright your Chinese names before it’s too late. Michael Jordan is suing a Chinese sportswear company for using his name and identity without his permission.


“Jordan’s name is translated to ‘Qiaodan,’ and the company ‘Qiaodan Sports’ was accused of using not only his name, but his jersey number, and even attempted to use the names of his children...”

That’s all according to the 49-year-old retired NBA star. He says in this video message on his website:

“... it pains me to see someone misrepresent me and my identity. I had no other choice but to turn to the courts. Other athletes had done the same.”
http://www.therealjordan.com/en/


When the sportswear company started using Jordan’s Chinese moniker in 2000, it became widely popular. The New York Times reports that the company earned $45 million in profit last year alone.


But the company denies Jordan’s allegations, saying, quote, “any resemblance is coincidental.” NBC has its response:


“‘There is no connection, 23 is just a number like $23 or $230 dollars… I don’t think there is a problem at all here. … There are so many Jordans besides the basketball player – there are many other celebrities both in the U.S. and worldwide called Jordan.’”


And a question -- why did Jordan wait for more than 10 years to file a lawsuit?

Some speculate Yao Ming might be the reason. The Wall Street Journal reports last year Yao Ming and another famous Chinese athlete won two separate lawsuits against companies for trademark infringement. Yao won about $48,000 in damages.


Jordan says if he wins, he’ll invest any money received for damages to promote basketball in China.