Harting Wins Court Action Against Chinese Patent Infringers

Taking the view that patent infringements and plagiarism represent major problems in China, especially for the manufacturers of brand products, the Harting Technology Group says it has taken resolute action against a Chinese company (which it did not name) that it claims had copied its connectors.

Following in-depth investigations, Harting took recourse to the Shanghai Second Intermediate Court and initiated legal proceedings for damage and injunction in connection with patent infringements. The Shanghai court passed a judgment confirming the patent infringement and sentencing the respective manufacturer to discontinue the production and sales of the counterfeit products, as well as imposing the payment of damages.

The court judgment is an important positive signal for Harting, says the company, as the action not only weakens the market position of the opponent, but also issues a warning to current and future patent infringers.

In a released statement, the company said: “Harting is a globally active company and holds a particularly strong position on Asian markets. The Technology Group has filed patents in China since the beginning of the nineties.

“The outcome of the recent proceedings demonstrates that intellectual property is also being protected in China. In taking resolute action, Harting has clearly demonstrated that the company will assert its intellectual property rights internationally and will not hesitate to take recourse to all respective legal measures – now and in future.”