This is the exception that proves the rule: a foreign manufacturer won an infringement suit against a Chinese manufacturer. At the beginning of the Chinese car industry twenty years ago, local brands stood out with their copies of American, European or Japanese models. Here’s how BYD F3 and M6 (Toyota Corolla and Previa). THE Great Wall Hover (Isuzu Axiom), Geely SK (Mercedes CLK), BYD S1 (Ford Ecosport) etc… But for some it wasn’t just copying the design. They did a lot “reverse engineering”. They dismantled the existing model to cast parts and body panels and created a near exact replica. Can you imagine significantly lower build quality (at least at that time).

A diverse concept of individual property

Undoubtedly, the most vivid example is Chery QQwhich was a term copy Daewoo Matiz (aka Chevrolet Spark). When it was launched in 2003, General Motors proved that the two door models were even perfectly interchangeable! An argument that didn’t bother him lost the case against Chery. In China, there is no uniform understanding of intellectual property, so it is very rare for a manufacturer to win such a lawsuit. Even Fiat sued GreatWall in 2008 for counterfeiting Panda (Peri) was disappointed. Peri was banned in Italy, but not in China, where he continued his career without problems. However, we have to believe that things have a beginning, as the BMW group has just won an infringement lawsuit against a Chinese car company!

BMW victory

Beijing Estek Technology (BET) had filed a patent in July 2022 your mini-electric city car. This one is a bit unlike Mini (1959-2001), copy ! From silhouette to round headlights. From the shape of windows to the shape of doors. This is the famous European Mini of the 50s, point by point! We already agreed with the European manufacturer! The National Intellectual Property Administration of China has invalidated BET’s patents and prohibited their commercialization under this form. The Chinese manufacturer should revise its copy so that the model in question does not have so many similarities with the Mini. Good news for BMW (owner of the Mini brand since 2000). However, BET has three months for appeal this decision, in the absence of which this trial could well create case lawand give ideas to other western manufacturers.