“北美明德论坛”正式获准为美国注册商标

On October 14, 2025, the RUC North America Alumni Association received formal approval from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the trademark registration of “Mingde Forum.” This important development marks the formal legal recognition and intellectual property protection of the Mingde Forum brand in the United States, and represents a significant step forward in the Forum’s brand development and international growth.

Founded by the RUC North America Alumni Association in 2015 and officially named in 2016, Mingde Forum follows Renmin University of China’s motto of “Seeking Truth from Facts” and embraces the spirit of the ancient maxim, “The way of the university lies in manifesting one’s luminous virtue.” The Forum is committed to building a high-level global platform for intellectual exchange centered on RUC alumni and open to voices from around the world. Over the years, it has brought together distinguished experts and leaders from government, academia, and business to engage in in-depth discussions on major issues including shifts in the global order, the trajectory of China-U.S. relations, economic and market outlooks, and innovation in science, technology, and culture. Through these efforts, the Forum has developed a broad social impact and established a strong intellectual reputation.

From the Symposium on the Internationalization of the Renminbi held in October 2015, which marked the beginning of what would become Mingde Forum, to the completion of its U.S. trademark registration in October 2025, the Forum has spent a decade building its intellectual property and intangible brand assets while remaining true to its original purpose.

The approval of the trademark registration gives Mingde Forum an independent and legally protected status in the United States. This not only helps prevent unauthorized use and imitation of the brand, but also lays a solid foundation for the Forum’s future institutional development, brand expansion, and international partnerships. Going forward, the Forum will build on this milestone to further strengthen brand management, expand opportunities for collaboration, and promote the Mingde spirit across North America and around the world.

Wu Yafeng, President of the RUC North America Alumni Association, said:

“The two Chinese characters ‘Mingde’ carry a profound spiritual legacy of Chinese culture. Trademark registration is not merely a legal recognition of ownership; it is also an important milestone in the brand development, professionalization, and internationalization of Mingde Forum. Through this platform, we hope to continue fostering the exchange of ideas, promoting mutual understanding among civilizations, and ensuring that our voices are heard with greater confidence and conviction in the global conversation.”

What Is Mingde Forum?

“The way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting one’s luminous virtue, renewing the people, and resting in the highest excellence.”

Guided by the principles of Mingde and embracing a broad and open outlook, the Mingde Forum was established by the RUC North America Alumni Association as a platform that balances openness and internationalism with academic rigor and practical relevance. It was launched in New York in October 2015 and officially named Mingde Forum in November 2016.

Through debate, dialogue, discussion, and analysis, we seek to pursue knowledge and understanding.
By learning from one another and drawing on each other’s strengths, we strive to cultivate ourselves and contribute to our communities. By offering ideas and recommendations with the greater good in mind, we aspire to contribute to the well-being of society and the world.