The Karl Mayer Group, a leading textile machinery and plant engineering company, has secured a significant legal victory in China against Fujian Xin Gang Textile Machinery Co. Ltd. This triumph marks a crucial step in the fight against product piracy. After a lengthy legal battle initiated in 2021, the Supreme People's Court of China ruled in favor of the Karl Mayer Group in May 2024.
The dispute centered on a patented system for heating the carrying-lever shaft of Tricot and Raschel machines, a critical innovation allowing the machines to adjust to varying ambient temperatures. This patent, granted in China in November 2011, underpins the superior performance of Karl Mayer’s technology.
Fujian Xin Gang Textile's attempt to cancel the patent was dismissed, and the court ordered the company to cease production, sales, and advertising of the infringing machines. A fine was also imposed.
Karl Mayer's victory underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property and sends a clear message to the market that copying innovations is futile. Zhen Kong, General Manager of Karl Mayer (China), emphasized the significance of the ruling, noting that it strengthens legal certainty in competition in China. This is particularly crucial for companies dedicated to innovation.
The decision ensures Karl Mayer's competitive edge in the vital Chinese market, reinforcing the company's global leadership in textile machinery.
