Xinhua is reporting that the Silk Street Market in Beijing, famous for its cheap knockoffs of international designer goods, has registered the name SILKSTEET as a tradmark and issued a warning to counterfeiters that abusers of the brand will be prosecuted to the full extent of trademark laws.

The first items to bear the SILKSTREET name, displayed on Wednesday, include apparel such as neckties, shirts and scarves, as well as a few household items such as tablecloths. They are marked “quality guaranteed” with a label that tells buyers that “the goods are certified by the Silk Street Market. If any quality problems are found, the market will bear the responsibility of compensation.”

“SILKSTREET products are sold exclusively in the market. Anyone using the brand outside will be held liable,” the Beijing Evening News quoted Wang Zili, general manager of the market, as saying.

It is hoped that establishment of the SILKSTREET brand will become an important step towards protecting intellectual property rights in China.