JAPANESE COMMERCIAL HONESTY

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 203, 21 May 1908, Page 4

JAPANESE COMMERCIAL HONESTY

: ' Australian exporters to Japan (says the Molbourno "Ago") will bo well advised' if they watch very- carefully tho tactics pursued by their rivals in the Japanese market in the matter of trade marks. British merchants aro now in a great state of perturbation in consequence of tho persistent and unchecked imitation of British trade marks by Japanese manufacturers. Inferior Japanese goods aro sold hearing labels and trade marks which convoy the .idea that they aro of British, origin. Justice in tho Japanese courts in matters of trade, marks simply does not exist'. The - experience of Messrs. James Buchanan and Co., whisky distillers, i.f Glasgow, in connection with tho infringement by a Japanese wino merchant of their .trade mark of "Black and. White" whisky, shows how difficult'it is for a Briton to get fair play. When the case came before tho Court defendant admitted his guilt, but yet Messrs. Buchanan lost the day because the Judge turned frpm the point, at issue, and ordered a long investigation as to which of the two • makes, of whisky was the hotter. This irrelevant problem having been decided in favour of the Scotch whisky, tho Judge resolved that; because the Japanese imitation, was admittedly inferior, defendant was not, guilty; hence the case 'was dismissed. A lettor appeared a month ago in an English paper showing that Huntley and Pal? mcr's biscuits, Bryant and May's matches, and other first-class .British .productions aro successfully imitated in appearance, though not in quality. British labels, trade marks, and packings aro clearly imitated, and the Japanese consumer is hoodwinked.