Alleged Chinese Copies Removed From Heimtextil Stands
April 24, 2002
Exhibitors Urged to Register New Designs in Germany Frankfurt, Germany - Just three hours into the January fair, Heimtextil''''s security officers removed around 400 alleged copies of European fabrics from seven Chinese-rented stands. The action, just one of 14 incidents reported at the trade show, involved the exclusion of around 80 originals in several different colorways using the ACID - Anti Copying In Design exhibition protocol.
ACID, supported by Messe Frankfurt project coordinator Peter Vogl, had responded to several French and Belgian fabric companies, who complained that what they considered to be identical copies of their designs were being shown at the home textiles fair.
The exhibitors involved were Craye, J. Pansu and Les Tissages D''''art de Lys of France, and B. & T. Textilia, Algemene and Metrax-Comag of Belgium.
Dr. Martin Wirtz, an intellectual property lawyer from Boehmert & Boehmert, ACID''''s associate lawyers in Germany, said: "The seizure of almost 400 pieces demonstrates that copying of products is a severe problem.
"Every exhibitor at Heimtextil should register their new designs in Germany," Wirtz added. "This would make prosecution under German law much easier and stop a further increase in plagiarism, as well as contributing to the intellectual property equity of the company."
Dids Macdonald, ACID CEO, said research in the U.K. showed that 86% of copies are discovered at trade fairs.
"The positive stance taken by Messe Frankfurt will help create a safer trading environment for exhibitors and, together with the powerful ACID brand of deterrence, send a clear warning signal to design pirates that there is nil tolerance of plagiarism at Heimtextil," she commented.
ACID is hoping to put in place an action plan to try and stem the amount of copying which seems to take place on a regular and ever increasing basis.
MacDonald said that ACID would work closely with Messe Frankfurt to get out the information that exhibitors need to register their designs in Germany.
"Documentation of design registration is proof that the company owns the design," she said. "With it, an interim injunction can be applied for in the courts on the same day and can be obtained within two or three hours."
She hoped appropriate action could be taken against constant perpetrators and alleged copyists prior to the fair opening, thereby saving exhibitors valuable time on the first day of the show.
ACID offers its fast growing membership, which ranges from sole traders to businesses with multi-million turnovers, a powerful voice at trade exhibitions, instant access to a legal hot-line, a free design register and ACID-branded deterrent merchandise. For membership details, telephone: +44 1531 650476. Email: help@acid.uk.com F&FI
ACID, supported by Messe Frankfurt project coordinator Peter Vogl, had responded to several French and Belgian fabric companies, who complained that what they considered to be identical copies of their designs were being shown at the home textiles fair.
The exhibitors involved were Craye, J. Pansu and Les Tissages D''''art de Lys of France, and B. & T. Textilia, Algemene and Metrax-Comag of Belgium.
Dr. Martin Wirtz, an intellectual property lawyer from Boehmert & Boehmert, ACID''''s associate lawyers in Germany, said: "The seizure of almost 400 pieces demonstrates that copying of products is a severe problem.
"Every exhibitor at Heimtextil should register their new designs in Germany," Wirtz added. "This would make prosecution under German law much easier and stop a further increase in plagiarism, as well as contributing to the intellectual property equity of the company."
Dids Macdonald, ACID CEO, said research in the U.K. showed that 86% of copies are discovered at trade fairs.
"The positive stance taken by Messe Frankfurt will help create a safer trading environment for exhibitors and, together with the powerful ACID brand of deterrence, send a clear warning signal to design pirates that there is nil tolerance of plagiarism at Heimtextil," she commented.
ACID is hoping to put in place an action plan to try and stem the amount of copying which seems to take place on a regular and ever increasing basis.
MacDonald said that ACID would work closely with Messe Frankfurt to get out the information that exhibitors need to register their designs in Germany.
"Documentation of design registration is proof that the company owns the design," she said. "With it, an interim injunction can be applied for in the courts on the same day and can be obtained within two or three hours."
She hoped appropriate action could be taken against constant perpetrators and alleged copyists prior to the fair opening, thereby saving exhibitors valuable time on the first day of the show.
ACID offers its fast growing membership, which ranges from sole traders to businesses with multi-million turnovers, a powerful voice at trade exhibitions, instant access to a legal hot-line, a free design register and ACID-branded deterrent merchandise. For membership details, telephone: +44 1531 650476. Email: help@acid.uk.com F&FI
