Ganzhou City, China has successfully handled a major intellectual property case involving a total amount of 8.85 million yuan in the lighter industry in accordance with the law. All 9 defendants involved have been sentenced, effectively safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of foreign-funded enterprises and adding a significant contribution to optimizing the legal business environment.
It is reported that the “CLIPPER” brand belongs to the FLAMAGAS group in Spain. The group is a globally renowned lighter manufacturer with business coverage in over 120 countries and regions. In 2013, Ferramages Group established a production base in Ganzhou. The company was deeply troubled by counterfeit products, which maliciously seized the market with inferior and low-priced products, damaged brand reputation, and threatened consumer rights due to safety hazards.
After the incident, the leaders of Ganzhou City, China directed the Ganzhou Public Security Bureau to act quickly, transferred the police to set up a special working group, pinpointed the infringing factories and carried out the arrest action, destroyed six fake production dens and two storage warehouses at one fell swoop, captured nine suspect, seized 91000 counterfeit “Clifford” lighters and accessories, 37000 various packing cases, 155000 counterfeit lighters’ windscreens, 2480 labels and qualification certificates, seized five sets of production molds and 11 production machines, comprehensively destroyed the complete counterfeit industry chain from production, processing to storage, and successfully cut off the production and manufacturing of counterfeit lighters The behavior of the machine.
Now, the case is being heard in public by the People’s Court, and 9 defendants involved have appeared in court to respond. The court has sentenced the 9 defendants to six months to four years in prison and imposed fines in accordance with the law; At the same time, it was ordered to jointly compensate the rights holders with more than 2.53 million yuan and recover illegal gains of more than 290000 yuan. The successful investigation and lawful trial of this case reflects the determination of the local political and legal authorities to unite the rule of law to combat infringement crimes, continue to promote the construction of a legal business environment in Jiangxi, and provide solid legal guarantees for the development of foreign-funded enterprises in China.
The relevant person in charge of Ferramages Group stated that the successful investigation and handling of this case effectively curbed the spread of counterfeit products, maintained a fair and orderly market environment, and enhanced the company’s investment confidence in the local area. In the future, the group will continue to deeply cultivate the Chinese market and work together with all parties to safeguard intellectual property and consumer rights.
