China's trademark administrator has rejected an application to register "Zheng Xiaoyu", the name of former head of drug watchdog, as a trademark for rat poisons.

"It is against China's trademark laws to use a name that has adverse effects on society as a trademark," said sources with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Zheng Xiaoyu, former director of the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), was sacked for taking bribes and helping secure illegal profits for some drug companies.

On Feb. 28, Shenyang Feilong Pharmaceutical Company applied to use Zheng's name as a brand of rat poisons and pesticides.

Jiang Wei, the company chairman, admits he had a dispute with Zheng, when the SFDA labeled "Weigekaitai" produced by Jiang's company an inferior drug in 1999.

Although Zheng Xiaoyu remains under investigation, he still enjoys the right to protect the use of his name according to trademark laws, industry experts added.

Source: Xinhua