Cartoon logo designers might have been barely able to make ends
meet before the First China International Animation and Cartoon
Festival in Hangzhou. But not anymore. It would seem that "manga"
mania has suddenly turned cute little animated logos into one of
this season's hottest commodities.
About a month ago, a local film and TV materials product company
in Xiaoshan District introduced a brand new type of investment in
Hangzhou that has taken the city by storm. The company spent over
30,000 yuan to register 200 cartoon logos.
That set the trend.
Soon after, other professional trademark investors rushed to
design studios asking for cutesy-pie fun images they could use as
branding for children's wear and a whole range of other
products.
Ye Zhengchao, general manager of Hangzhou Chaochao Brand Design
Co. Ltd, noted that the festival has proven to be a success so far,
and this might have a positive impact on businessmen looking to
diversify their interests.
Ye said: "A couple of days ago, a real estate speculator came
here and was surprised to find that the anime carnival hogged the
front-page spotlight in many local newspapers. He was inspired and
asked me to work on 30 cartoon logos based on some household
cartoon names like Sun Wukong, the Monkey King from Journey to
the West."
Some investors have chosen to diversify their portfolios to
include registering cartoon logos, moving their money out of stocks
and shares because cartoons are less risky. They believe that
registered trademarks are well protected by the government.
Ye explained that as a result of the trademark legislation that
was enacted in 2001, many of the restrictions on trademark
registration were removed. Individuals can now register their own
trademarks, thereby giving them the right to transfer ownership of
that trademark or to change it if they choose.
He added that this trend indicates a growing consciousness of
self-protection and also investment. But he lamented: "The only
thing they lack is the awareness of 'originality'."
The festival is on until June 5.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Li Xiao, June 3, 2005)
