Academician Yuan Longping is an expert in hybrid rice breeding in China and the father of hybrid rice in the world. His name has high social influence and commercial value. However, the two companies used the name "Yuan Longping" for product promotion and sales without obtaining legal authorization. On March 20th, the Supreme People's Court released the fifth batch of 15 typical cases of judicial protection of intellectual property rights in the seed industry by the people's courts. The reporter noticed that one of the cases was an unfair competition dispute between a certain agricultural high-tech company and Wan Group Company and Jiangxi Wan Industrial Company. In this case involving unfair competition of the names of well-known breeders, the court found that the unauthorized commercial use of the names of well-known breeders in the form of inscriptions and signatures on the outer packaging of goods, which led people to mistakenly believe that there was a specific connection with the well-known breeders, constituted unfair competition and effectively safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of breeders. The case shows that Academician Yuan Longping signed a "Yuan Longping Brand Rights License Agreement" with a certain agricultural high-tech company before his death, authorizing the company to exclusively use his name in its business activities. The business scope of Wanmou Group Company, Jiangxi Wanmou Industrial Company, and a certain agricultural high-tech company overlaps. They use the words "Inter Milan's Tribute to Yuan Longping" in the packaging and online promotion of rice and other products for promotion and sales. A certain agricultural high-tech company has filed a lawsuit, requesting that the two defendants immediately cease their unfair competition behavior, compensate the agricultural high-tech company for economic losses of 1 million yuan, reasonable expenses for rights protection of 100000 yuan, etc. The Intermediate People's Court of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province, ruled in the first instance that Wan Group Company and Jiangxi Wan Industrial Company immediately cease the production and sale of products with the name and signature of "Yuan Longping" in their packaging, and immediately delete any promotional content that improperly uses the name and signature of "Yuan Longping"; Wan Group Company and Jiangxi Wan Industrial Company compensated for losses and reasonable expenses for rights protection totaling 50000 yuan. Wan Group Company and Jiangxi Wan Industrial Company are dissatisfied and have filed an appeal. The Jiangxi Provincial High People's Court held in the second instance that the use of the words "Yuan Longping" in the form of inscriptions and signatures on the accused infringing goods constitutes commercial use. The name of Academician Yuan Longping has a high level of popularity and influence, and belongs to a name with certain influence. A certain agricultural high-tech company enjoys the relevant commercial use rights of the name "Yuan Longping". Without legal authorization, Wanmou Group Company and Jiangxi Wanmou Industrial Company use the name "Yuan Longping" for product promotion and sales, which can easily lead people to mistakenly believe that their products have specific connections with Academician Yuan Longping or a certain agricultural high-tech company, constituting commercial confusion. This behavior violates the principles of good faith and recognized business ethics, damages the legitimate rights and interests of a certain agricultural high-tech company, and constitutes unfair competition. Based on this, the second instance court rejected the appeal and upheld the original verdict. The Supreme People's Court stated that the judgment in this case has clarified the legal standard for unfair competition in the commercial use of the names of well-known breeders, providing judicial guidance for similar disputes. The judgment in this case effectively implements the principles of honesty and credit and business ethics, effectively safeguards the commercialization rights and interests of well-known breeders' names, regulates market competition order, and helps create a healthy and fair market environment. (New Society)