Beijing Morning Post
August 25, 2009

Apartments priced at 70,000 yuan per square meter make Diaoyutai No. 7 Courtyard, located in Haidian District, one of the most expensive real estate developments in Beijing.

The similarity of the development's name to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse is believed to contribute to its market appeal, inspiring the same aura of power and prestige that is associated with the country's lodgings for visiting dignitaries.

However, the Guesthouse recently reported the developer of the Diaoyutai No. 7 Courtyard to the Haidian District Administration of Industry and Commerce (AIC) for violating its right to the brand name.

The charges note that in its promotional literature, the Diaoyutai apartments use photos of an inscription of the three characters 钓鱼台 by the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty. The inscription, part of the assets of a former royal park, was inherited by the State Guesthouse.

In addition, the developer also claims that property owners will "enjoy the state-level resources of Diaoyutai Guesthouse," when in reality, there is nothing similar about the two except for their names.

Although a lawyer for the developer retorted that the name of the development was borrowed from a nearby place-name, the East Diaoyutai Village, an official from Haidian AIC interviewed by the Beijing Morning Post was inclined to believe that the property developer is at fault for attempting to piggyback on the more famous hotel.

Once the investigation is complete, the apartment development will have to change its name, the official said.