SPORTSWEAR giant Puma has been ordered to pay 2.9 million yuan (US$421,340) to Shanghai-based wool producer Hengyuanxiang for infringing its goat head logo, according to Huangpu District People’s Court.

Hengyuanxiang, a 90-year-old brand, registered the logo, adapted from a form of ancient Chinese hieroglyphic characters, in March 2014. But in 2015, Puma used the same image on its shoes and hooded sweatshirts especially made for the Year of Goat. The only difference was the size.

Puma had insisted it had just used the hieroglyphic character, which could be used by everyone.

However, the court said it clearly aped the logo on Hengyuanxiang products and would mislead customers to think Puma’s Goat year series was connected to Hengyuanxiang.

Investigation found Puma had profited nearly 6 million yuan from its Goat year series. As the sales were not a result of the reputation of Hengyuanxiang, Puma was ordered to pay about the half revenues as compensation.