經通國際智慧產權事務所

The Bank of Taipei, the former Daojiang Bank, failed in the Second Instance of the lawsuit between the Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank and it, involving with the trademark right of “Bank of Taipei”. “We had referred to the similar trademark lawsuit between the International Bank of Taipei and Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank after we changed the name, and it was unexpected that the decision ruled against us in the Second Instance. We will file an appeal after receiving the verdict.” said Guo Chung Pu, the spokesperson of the Bank of Taipei.

The Bank of Taipei reforms from the Taipei First Credit Cooperative. Wu Dung Sheng, the fourth son of the Shin Kong Group president Wu Huo Shi, is the majority shareholder. Its name was changed from the Daojiang Bank to the Bank of Taipei two years ago, as its 22 branches are all located in Taipei–Keelung metropolitan area.

On the other hand; Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank, the mergence of the Taipei Bank and Fubon Bank, accused the Bank of Taipei for using the similar trademark with its, which might cause the likelihood of confusion to relevant consumers. The judgment of the IP Court ruled in favor of the Bank of Taipei in the First Instance, whereas it reversely ruled against the Bank of Taipei in the Second Instance.

Guo argued that the similar names of the Bank of Taipei and Taipei Bank did not incur any disputation to its clients. Besides, the Taipei Bank did not exist after it merged with the Fubon Bank. The relevant government departments did not oppose when the Daojiang bank applied to change its name to the Bank of Taipei, neither. “The International Bank of Taipei had the same trademark lawsuit with the Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank before, but the International Bank of Taipei ended up winning. The decision in the Second Instance was actually unexpected to the Bank of Taipei,” said Guo.

Guo also said that remaking the signboard and the company registration fee are the main cost for the Bank of Taipei to change its name. As the Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank did not request for the monetary compensation of damages, the operation of bank was barely affected. The Bank of Taipei would file an appeal after receiving the verdict.

Organized and translated by Iris Lin

International Affairs