Baidu Europe (not Baidu China) announced today that it is selling 13 European domain names, including Baidu.eu, Baidu.tv, Baidu.be, Baidu.nl, through the Amsterdam-based trademark agency De Merkplaats, as well as its European trademark on the term Baidu.
Managing Director P. Ufkes of Baidu Europe is taking this step in response to the difficulties his company has faced since a Dutch agency began to promote the Chinese search engine giant Baidu in Europe. Ufkes plans to continue his company under a different name.
“The mounting popularity of the Asian Baidu, which is the world’s third-biggest search engine; services such as Baidu TV and the Chinese company’s activities related to the Olympic Games are making it very difficult to differentiate between the two companies,” explains Ufkes.
Managing director Ufkes is expecting to attract a lot of interest in the European trademark rights and domain names. “Baidu Europe has gained a very good reputation during the past five years.” Ufkes has already received a number of offers to take over his company’s brand and domain names. “But we weren’t yet ready to take the step.”
The Internet company Baidu Europe was established in 2003 and employs eight people. The company specialises in the provision of total automation and web design solutions. When Ufkes had the name Baidu registered he had not yet heard of the Asian Baidu.
Following the Asian Baidu’s decision in 2006 to have itself represented in Europe by a Dutch agency, confusion arose between the identities of the two companies.
For specific questions about the sale of the brand and domain names, please contact the legal staff at trademark agency De Merkplaats: Tel. +31(0)20-330-6610
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