The judgement, handed down by the Beijing High People's Court, found that a Chinese individual who had registered the “Ben Fu” trademark in 2009 had “failed to demonstrate any genuine use of the trademark for wine or related business activities”.
The Chinese trademark will now be cancelled, allowing TWO to claim its right to ownership and use of Ben Fu in China.
Calling Penfolds the most widely recognised wine brand in the country, Robert Foye, regional managing director, said: “Protecting the integrity of our historic wine brands against trademark piracy is critical. We have never wavered in our commitment to defend our position as the rightful owner of the Ben Fu trademark in China, and we are absolutely thrilled with this decision.”