Jaguar Land Rover wins case against the Chinese company that produced a copy of the Evoque

IN a first for the global car industry, JLR has won a significant case in the Chinese courts against the company that produced a copy of the Range Rover Evoque.

The decision issued by the Beijing Chaoyang District Court decreed that the Evoque has five unique features that were copied directly in the Landwind X7 built by Jiangling Holdings Co Ltd and that the similarity of the two vehicles has led to widespread consumer confusion.

The court determined that all sales, manufacturing and marketing of the Landwind vehicle must cease immediately. The court also ruled that Jaguar Land Rover be paid compensation.

It is the first time under PRC 2017 AntiUnfair Competition Law in which a Chinese court has found in favour of a foreign company in the automotive industry, after the likes of Fiat and Honda have been unsuccessful in attempts to stop alleged copies of their vehicles in China. Perhaps it is a sign of things to come for the intellectual property scene globally?

Keith Benjamin, Jaguar Land Rover, Global Head of Legal, said: “We welcome this decision of the Beijing Court, which further strengthens our confidence in investing in China and in the fairness of intellectual property adjudication in the Chinese courts.

“This ruling is a clear sign of the law being implemented appropriately to protect consumers and uphold their rights so that they are not confused or misled, whilst protecting business investment in design and innovation.”