■ IPO clarifies Taipei 101 issue
Using the image of Taipei 101 Tower as background in posters, soap operas or music videos is considered legitimate use and does not constitute a violation of the Trademark Act (商標法), the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) said in a statement yesterday. The IPO's explanation came following the decision by Taipei Financial Center Corp (TFCC, 台北金融大樓), owner of the world's tallest building, to charge any commercial usage of Taipei 101 image. The IPO said as Taipei 101 is a construction that is open to the public, advertisers or TV producers are allowed to use its image as background without having to obtain prior approval or pay the company. But reproducing the image of the skyscraper into buildings, sculptures and models for sale will infringe upon the Trademark Act, as TFCC holds a three-dimensional trademark of the building, according to the statement. Advertisers that use the trademark of Taipei 101 to mislead consumers may also be charged with illegal practice, IPO said.
■ Taipei Game Show on this week
Taipei Game Show 2006 will be held at the Taipei World Trade Center from Thursday through next Monday, with over 100,000 attendees and industry professionals expected to visit the show, according to the Taipei Computer Association (台北市電腦公會), the organizer of the event. The forecast number of the visitors makes the show the largest of its kind in the region, the association said. The exhibition will feature online, television, computer and wireless games. Digital animation and edutainment software will also be prominent features this year. Taipei Game Show is entering its 15th year of exhibition this year, according to its organizer. The show not only plays a vital role in promoting the development of the electronic entertainment industry in Taiwan, but also has become a preferred occasion for new product launches and a gateway for foreign investment partners to access China's market, as Taiwan online games hold a 40 percent to 50 percent share of the Chinese online game market, the organizer said.
■ China Airlines moves in Beijing
The Beijing branch of China Airlines (華航), Taiwan's largest carrier, moved to a new office yesterday. The Beijing office will add momentum to the Taiwanese airlines' business in China, where the carrier already maintains offices in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Kunshan, according to Liu Yen-hsing (劉乃珩), the airlines' top executive in China. Speaking at the new Beijing office's opening ceremony, Liu expressed hopes for better relations and business in China, paving the way for the opening of full air links between Taiwan and China. Liu pointed to the success of the direct Lunar New Year holiday passenger charter flights across the Taiwan Strait, which have been successfully executed three times and become ever more popular. Liu said he was confident of positive results as negotiations between China Airlines and relevant Chinese authorities have been faring well. He added that the carrier hopes to put weekend and holiday charter flights in place in the next phase of operations.
■ NT dollar weakens
The New Taiwan dollar depreciated against the US dollar on the Taipei Foreign Exchange yesterday, losing NT$0.107 to close at NT$32.374. A total of US$1.185 billion changed hands during the day's trading.
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