In 2005, Danfoss discovered that a company based in Shandong Province had been blatantly abusing Danfoss’ trademark by using 'Danfoss' in its company name and when marketing its products.
In April 2006, Danfoss filed a civil suit against this company in the Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court. A verdict was reached in late December 2006, when the court officially announced a judgment in support of Danfoss. The judgment, upholding almost all the Danfoss claims, included a ruling that the Chinese company: (1) stop using the “Danfoss” trademark for goods that are the same or similar to goods that Danfoss has registered to market, (2) nullify its website “danfosi.com”, (3) publish a public apology in “Legal Daily” to clarify and reduce any damage to Danfoss, and (4) pay compensation (RMB150,000 plus RMB 20,000 case-related expenses) to Danfoss.
The Chinese company appealed to the Beijing High People’s Court in early 2007. On June 29, the Beijing High People’s Court announced it had rejected the company's objections and upheld the earlier judgment. Danfoss finally won the case by defending its IPR, and the Chinese company was once again ordered to pay all service fees.
“We are fully convinced that the Chinese government has been serious in fulfilling its commitment to WTO in protecting IPR for companies like Danfoss. We will continue to work closely with the Chinese authorities to actively promote the issue of IPR in China,” said Danfoss China’s President, Mogens Terp Paulsen, after the final verdict.
The case was first brought to the attention of the Chinese authorities during bilateral discussions between top government officials from Denmark and China in 2005 as a serious case of the violation of industrial property rights.
For further information:
Eskil Berg Kappel
Tel.: +86-10-6581-4800 Mobile: +86-13501217593
Fax: +86-10-6581-4825
E-mail: eskil@danfoss.com
Alternatively :
Corporate Communications, Danfoss, tel. +45 7488 5813
