The Centurion brand was created and owned by Western States Imports (WSI) in the USA but they failed to trademark it outside America, allowing Merida to control it elsewhere. WSI was bought by China Bicycle Company (CBC) in 1989 who dropped Centurion in favour of WSI's Diamondback brand, which had been used for BMX and ATBs. CBC's intention was to establish a single, globally recognized brand and they could not do that with Centurion due to trademark infringements.