Sichuan Changhong Electric Co Ltd yesterday denied it has infringed on the copy right of its major domestic rival Xiamen Overseas Chinese Electronic Co Ltd's registered brands.

A shop assistant moves a Hitachi TV set, which has the logo of "HDTVReady" on its package, at Shanghai No 1 Department Store. Sichuan Changhong said its rival Xiamen Overseas asked it to stop using "HDTVReady" on its products, but argues that the term is widely used by foreign rivals. [Shanghai Daily]

Sichuan Changhong, the largest color television manufacturer on the Chinese mainland, said in a statement that Xiamen Overseas's recent petition is "irresponsible."

Xiamen Overseas filed a lawsuit simultaneously in Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou on Wednesday, alleging that Sichuan Changhong used its registered trademark "CHDTV," meaning China High Digital Television, to attract buyers.

The Fujian Province-based TV maker said it registered the brand in China two years ago, but Sichuan Changhong still printed the logo on its brochures, technical manuals and packages.

"The CHDTV term is only part of our product code," said Changhong's statement, adding that Xiamen Overseas's actions have had a negative influence to its reputation and brand image and it may file a lawsuit against the rival firm.

Sun Guangrong, spokesman of Xiamen Overseas, said his company has already collected enough evidence to ask a court to block the sale of Sichuan Changhong's products that carry the trademark "CHDTV."

Xiamen Overseas said that Sichuan Changhong has already sold more than 200,000 TV sets carrying the disputed trademark.

Sichuan Changhong said that Xiamen Overseas also asked it to stop using "HDTVReady" on its products, but it argued that the term "HDTV" is widely used as an abbreviation for High Definition Television, and should not be regarded as a brand.

"HDTV is accepted globally to show that the set can receive high defini-tion signals. Many foreign TV makers also print it on their packages," said a Sichuan Changhong official.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Business News
+The next great leap after Shenzhou V ( 2003-10-21) +Hu calls for balanced development ( 2003-10-21) +Report: SARS not airborne virus ( 2003-10-21) +Japan urged to resolve weapons issue ( 2003-10-21) +Int'l AIDS group opens Beijing office ( 2003-10-21)		+Home-appliance giants want wheels ( 2003-10-21) +Exchange-rate reform under study ( 2003-10-21) +Health insurance sector called for ( 2003-10-21) +SanDisk teams up to open outlets ( 2003-10-21) +Housing prices start to sag in Shanghai ( 2003-10-21)