Schiff Brand Wins Final Ruling in 13-Year Trademark Squatting Case

Reckitt Benckiser’s Schiff brand secured victory in a landmark trademark squatting case decided by China’s Supreme People’s Court. The March 2026 judgment concluded a 13-year saga involving dozens of related administrative and litigation matters against an individual squatter who filed numerous applications across unrelated classes.

The court’s ruling addressed the squatter’s pattern of filings and upheld the brand owner’s rights following years of oppositions, invalidations, and non-use cancellations. The decision is viewed as reinforcing protections against bad-faith trademark registrations in China.

The dispute encompassed 45 interrelated cases plus additional proceedings before administrative bodies and courts. The final outcome provides precedent on handling coordinated squatting efforts targeting well-known marks.

Sources: https://www.iam-media.com/article/schiff-brand-prevails-after-supreme-court-concludes-13-year-trademark-squatting-saga https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/trademark-blog/landmark-polish-supreme-court-ruling-on-eu-trade-mark-acquiescence-vs-national-rules-of-limitation/