Following earlier successful court outcomes, RCF has secured additional favourable outcomes in China in trademark infringement and loudspeaker design patent cases. These results advance the company’s ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual property, customers, and authorised sales network.
The rulings address the unauthorised use of RCF branding on loudspeakers, enclosures, packaging and online product listings, as well as infringement of a loudspeaker design patent. The judgments and settlement require the parties involved to cease the infringing activities. They reinforce RCF’s ability to act against the misuse of its name and the unauthorised reproduction of its protected designs.
‘Customers and partners must be able to trust the RCF name,’ says Federico Lugli, RCF Head of Distributor Sales. ‘These outcomes support our ongoing efforts to protect that trust and the work behind our products. We will continue to take action against the unauthorised use of our trademarks and protected designs.’
RCF recommends purchasing through authorised dealers and contacting the company before buying if a seller’s authorisation is unclear. RCF’s Buy Authentic web page provides guidance on verifying product authenticity and finding authorised sales channels. RCF will continue to monitor the global market and work with the relevant authorities to address infringement and protect customers and authorised partners.
The rulings include The People’s Court of Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, issuing a favourable first-instance judgment against Zheng Yanhong, operator of the Taobao store – Gesli Electroacoustic Equipment Store. The court found that the unauthorised manufacture and sale of loudspeakers bearing the RCF mark infringed RCF’s registered trademark rights and ordered the defendant to cease those activities.
Tongxiang City Zhouquan Anda Building Materials Firm: The People’s Court of Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, issued a favourable first-instance trademark judgment concerning the sale of loudspeaker enclosures bearing infringing RCF signs, which also appeared in online listings, product images, and packaging. The court ordered the defendant to cease selling and promoting the infringing enclosures and to destroy the relevant products.
Ningbo Weiding Audio Co Ltd/Hu Wei: The Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court found at first instance that Ningbo Weiding Audio Co Ltd and Hu Wei had infringed RCF’s loudspeaker design patent. Following an appeal by the defendants, the parties reached a settlement through mediation by the Zhejiang High People’s Court. The settlement required the defendants to cease infringement and withdraw their request to invalidate the patent.