Ahead of the opening of Shanghai's $5.5 billion Walt Disney Co theme park, the Chinese government has imposed fines on five hotels for allegedly pirating the company's copyright. Xinhua news agency reported that the establishments were utilizing Disney's official logo over their advertisment signs and websites.

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The hotels were situated close to where the theme park is set to open next year at the Pudong district. According to the city's Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce, all these outlets were a property of the Shenzhen Vienna Hotels Group.

All in all, the five hotels were imposed a fine of 100,000 yuan ($15,656). This is in accordance with the copyright protection law given by the Chinese government to the American company for a year-long campaign ahead of its grand opening .

"Hoping to cash in on the resort and attract customers, [the hotels] not only infringed trademark rights, but are also suspected of unfair competition," Xinhua wrote. Lin Haihan, AIC director, said they are currently investigating other hotels too that might be violating the policy.

The theme park is a partnership between Disney and Shanghai Shendi Group. Early this year, they announced that the grand opening will take place before the end of December, but it was later pushed to the first half of 2016.

This is the first Disney theme park to open in the People's Republic. Soon visitors can enjoy two themed hotels, a huge venue for retail, dinning and entertainment and outdoor recreational places. 

TagsFake Disney Hotels, theme park, Shanghai Disneyland, Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce, trademark infringement