Introduction to the incident

In March 2008, adidas, a well-known sporting goods company that was a partner of the Beijing Olympics, was criticized by the Internet media for using the five-star Sino-Canadian company logo on the Chinese flag. On March 10, Adidas Shanghai issued a statement admitting that the designs of two of its products that have been launched involve irregular use of the Chinese flag pattern. The company promised to recall the above two backpacks and jersey products globally and formally apologized to Chinese consumers.

Specific reports

Adidas is suspected of being involved in the "Flag Gate" and has a trademark printed on the five stars

While the "Photo Gate" incident in the entertainment industry is still lingering, Adidas, a well-known sporting goods company in the sports world, has been involved in the "Flag Gate" incident because it was suspected of abusing China's five-star red flag. At least two of Adidas' Olympic series sports bags and Polo shirts use the national flag's "red and yellow stars" as the basic pattern. The largest of the five stars is printed with the Adidas clover logo. Some people suspect that this may violate the "Flag Law" . It is reported that adidas has responded that if the incident caused anyone displeasure, the company sincerely apologizes and has decided to stop selling two products immediately.

Investigating Chengdu: This series of products may be launched

Will products already on the market in Hong Kong flow into the Chengdu market? A staff member of the adi-das store in Chengdu Pacific Quanxing Store said that these products are new models of the Clover series and will only be sold at Clover counters. However, after visiting Clover’s counters in Pacific Chunxi Store, First City and other places, we found that none of the suspected “Flag Gate” series products appeared in Chengdu.

The investigation was confirmed by relevant personnel from Sichuan Leading Sales Company, the first-level agent of Adidas in Sichuan. A staff member of the company surnamed Li pointed out after checking the company's purchase records that three of Adidas' product series with five-pointed star patterns will be available in all Jinlang sports goods stores in Chengdu, including T-shirts, shoes and coat. There are three companies in Sichuan that represent Adidas sports brands. Ms. Li believes that the products of each channel dealer will be different. Sports bags listed in Hong Kong may not appear in Chengdu, but what is certain is that if there are other local If several agents purchase the same series of products, the time to market will be the same.

Connected Company: Adidas Shanghai Headquarters "Aphasic"

Adidas has responded that if the design of the above-mentioned sports bags and Polo shirts caused anyone's displeasure or dissatisfaction, Adidas sincerely apologizes and they also It was decided to stop selling two products immediately. The agent in Sichuan has not received any news from the company on this matter, nor has it stated whether it will cancel the order it has placed. Ms. Li, the person in charge of purchasing from the Sichuan Leading Sales Company, has not even heard of adidas. The "Flaggate" incident.

Contacted the Chinese headquarters of adidas in Shanghai, hoping to get the company's handling of the above products. According to a woman surnamed Liu in the sales department, she has not yet received a reply from the company to relevant questions, so she cannot explain the media's inquiries. The staff of the company's legal affairs department also said they were unclear about the company's response to the matter. The other party said that the company's marketing department has dedicated staff responsible for media reception, but no one answered the phone in their office.

Whether it is illegal: it still needs to be confirmed by relevant departments

According to Article 18 of the National Flag Law, "the national flag and its patterns shall not be used as trademarks or advertisements." Adidas has previously emphasized that as a partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee, they have absolutely no intention of offending the country, and the products are only to praise and praise China for becoming the host country of the 2008 Olympic Games. So, does the emblem pattern on Adidas’ Olympic series of products violate this provision of the National Flag Law? After calling the Legal Affairs Department of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, the staff said that they must first obtain the consent of the Press and Propaganda Department before they can be interviewed. The reporter called the Press and Propaganda Department several times, but no one answered the phone.