Authorities have fined a Chinese hotel group for using Disney’s name without permission, a few months ahead of the grand opening of the Disney Shanghai theme park.
The official Xinhua news agency reports Shenzhen-based Vienna Hotels Group used Disney branding on electronic signs and websites of five hotels located close to the theme park.
The company was fined more than US$15,000 by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Industry and Commerce for violating Disney’s trademark.
According to the report, one hotel described itself as a ‘Disney branch.’
The company operates five hotels within a few miles of the Disney Shanghai park.
Authorities recently launched a campaign to stop trademark infringement and counterfeiting of official Disney products before the US$5.5 billion park opens next spring.
Walt Disney Co plans two official Disney resort hotels at the park, including one based on the Toy Story animated franchise.
