Two lamps "look a bit similar," sparking a lawsuit — intellectual property is no small matter

A lighting company in Huzhou applied for a design patent for one of its self-produced lamps. However, in February this year, a lamp appeared on the market, manufactured by a company in Deqing. The Huzhou company believed that the product was extremely similar to its patented product and infringed its rights, so it sued the Deqing company in court.

On the 18th, during the "Public Open Day" of the intellectual property trial at the Huzhou Intermediate People's Court, the hearing was held for the dispute arising from a design patent.

On February 1, 2010, Huzhou Aotubang Lighting Electric Factory (hereinafter referred to as Aotubang) applied for a design patent for a special fluorescent lamp for water-jet looms that it had developed, and obtained the patent number from the National Intellectual Property Administration.

　　In mid-February this year, Ottobang suddenly discovered a lighting product on the market that was extremely similar to its own product, manufactured by Deqing Ruitaike Lighting Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Ruitaike). After visiting Huzhou, Jiaxing, and Wuxing in Jiangsu, Ottobang found that this product had distributors in all these places. Feeling that its patent had been infringed, Ottobang filed a lawsuit against Ruitaike.

　　In court, the plaintiff Ottobang Company demanded that the defendant immediately stop manufacturing and selling the allegedly infringing products, compensate the plaintiff for losses totaling 200,000 yuan, destroy the already-produced products and molds, and bear the litigation costs.

　　Ruitaike argued that its products were not identical or similar to Ottobang's patented products, with multiple design differences from the plaintiff's products. In addition, the defendant Ruitaike argued that the 200,000 yuan compensation proposed by the plaintiff lacked factual basis and the amount was obviously excessive.

　　The Huzhou Intermediate People's Court will hear the case on a date to be determined.