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German Customs Cracks Down on Chinese
Infringing Printer Toner Products at Ambiente 2024 Trade Show.
A trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, that showcased various consumer goods, including printer consumables, was the scene of a major crackdown by the German customs authorities on patent-infringing products last week.The trade fair, called Ambiente 2024, had a section dedicated to remanufactured printer consumables, which are products that have been refurbished and reused from original or compatible cartridges. These products are marketed as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives to disposable cartridges, and are supported by the Remanexpo Academy, a platform that provides information on technical developments and best practices in the field of remanufacturing.
However, another section of the trade fair featured disposable compatible print cartridges, which are products that are designed to work with specific printer models, but are not authorized or licensed by the original manufacturers. These products are mostly made in China and are cheaper but lower in quality than the original or remanufactured cartridges.
The German customs officials, who were monitoring the trade fair, seized more than 1,100 products from the Chinese exhibitors, who were suspected of violating the valid patent protection of the original manufacturers. The products were allegedly copying the designs and technologies of the original manufacturers without their consent or payment, which is a form of patent infringement. Patent infringement is a serious offense that infringes the patent owner’s rights with respect to their invention and can result in legal action and damages.
The customs officials also opened 27 criminal proceedings against the Chinese exhibitors and collected 41,500 euros (about 1 million Czech korunas) as a guarantee. These measures were taken to ensure that the infringing products did not reach the market and cause harm to the economy and the consumers, who may be misled by the quality and performance of the products.
The trade fair organizers and the Remanexpo Academy expressed their disappointment and concern over the incident and stated that they do not condone or support any form of patent infringement. They also reiterated their commitment to promoting the remanufacturing industry and its benefits for the environment and the society.
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