“Qihoo 360” Withdraws Lawsuit against “Studying Abroad 360”--50 Million Seizure Lifted

 The year-long “Qihoo 360” (Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd.) lawsuit against “Studying Abroad 360” (Shanghai 360 Education Investment Co., Ltd.) for trademark infringement has been settled recently. The two sides finally reached a settlement and Qihoo 360 filed a withdrawal application with Shanghai Intellectual Property Court. Meanwhile, the court lifted the sealing up, freezing and seizure of 50 million Yuan of bank deposit of Studying Abroad 360 or other equivalent property.

Last July, Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. sued Shanghai 360 Education Investment Co., Ltd. and its parent company Beijing Lisichen Technology Co., Ltd. to the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court for trademark infringement and unfair competition, claiming for economic loss of 50 million Yuan. In response to Qihu company's application for property preservation, the court made a civil ruling to freeze 50 million Yuan of deposit of the respondent Shanghai 360 Education Investment Co., Ltd., or seal, freeze and seize other equivalent property.

Qihu company sued that after years of operation and extensive publicity, the “360” series of trademarks held by Qihu company has a high reputation and good fame. More than 800 trademarks containing “360” in various categories have been registered. The defendant Shanghai 360 Education Investment Co., Ltd. registered or purchased a large number of domain names containing “360”, and highlighted the use of “360 Education Group”, “Studying Abroad 360” in publicity and promotion, even directly using “360”.

At that time, Luo Cheng, the founder of Lisichen Studying Aboard 360, issued a personal statement saying that Lisichen Studying Aboard 360 had operated in this industry much earlier than Qihu 360’s foundation. He believes the court will make a fair and just judgment or ruling, and has full confidence in the outcome of the proceedings.

It is reported that in the past year, Shanghai Intellectual Property Court commissioned the Shanghai Commercial Mediation Center to mediate the relevant disputes. During the trial, Beijing Qihu Technology Co., Ltd. filed an application for withdrawal with the court on the grounds of reaching a settlement with the two defendants.

August 17, 2019

Source: Beijing Business Today

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