Date：2012/07/01

In the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Shanghai STAL Precision Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. against Jiangsu Chengfei Precision Alloy Co., Ltd. in 2011, the Intermediary People’s Court in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province decided on March 30th, 2012 that Chengfei’s actions constituted copyright infringement and imposed corresponding legal responsibility as well as financial liability. Jiangsu Chengfei Precision Alloy Co., Ltd did not appeal the decision and the decision came into force recently.

It was found through trial by the Court that Chengfei copied and used certain photographsin Chengfei’s product pamphlet and its website for public propaganda without permission from STAL and infringed the copyright of above-mentioned photographs enjoyed by STAL according to the law.

STAL specializes in producing and selling stainless steel strip as a Sino-American joint venture company which has obtained the New and High Technology Enterprise Title and the Shanghai Foreign Investment Advanced Enterprise Title. STAL is a world-class leader in the development, technology, manufacturing production, and quality of light gauge thin precision rolled stainless steel strip, and STAL has achieved a high reputation in the stainless steel strip industry. Chengfei’s copyright infringement constituted improper and unfair competition to promote its own production capabilities through dishonest propaganda by using the brand image and excellent reputation which STAL established over many years.

In recent years, intellectual property right protection cases are dramatically increasing in China with the improved consciousness by companies of the need to safeguard rights using the rule of law through judicial means. Brand image means survival and development for companies and quality and safety for customers. Companies should protect its own rights and benefits under the law, compete fairly and honestly, and obey business ethics.