BEIJING, (Reuters) – China’s NBA all-star Yao Ming has sued a Chinese sportswear maker over alleged name and image infringements, local media reported yesterday.
The towering Houston Rockets centre has filed a lawsuit against the company for using the label “Yao Ming Era” on its shoes without his consent, Yao’s management said. Lu Hao claimed the sports maker also used Yao’s signature and portrait on their products while promoting them across the country.
“We want to send out a word that such infringements are not tolerated by Yao Ming,” Lu told the China Daily.
Yao, who is under contract with Reebok, registered his name as a trademark in 2002 to protect his rights and for a possible future in the sports apparel business after retiring.
Yao is currently recovering from a career-threatening ankle fracture he suffered playing for the Rockets last November.
