"We brought the lawsuit not for compensation, but to prove that clothing patent is protected by law," said Li Zhiqian, board chairman of a clothes plant named Sifan in Dalian, one of China's clothing bases. Li has just received a compensation of 85,900 yuan (US$9,988) from another clothes plant named Jinxin.
First Clothing Piracy Case
This clothing piracy case, first in Dalian, began in November of 1999 when Jinxin manufactured cashmere overcoats with the same patterns of Sifan, who enjoys the patents of the designs.
Zhou Hong, patentee of the designs, referred to the verdict as comfort for their laborious efforts.
Patent Law More Effective
China's patent law has been becoming more and more effective in operation and it has been recognized by an increasing number of people, said Teng Dianjiang, chief judge for the case in Dalian Intermediate People's Court. He said that in the past people would settle the case personally instead of resorting to law to protect their rights.
He added that China is able to provide intellectual property rights protection to both Chinese and overseas garment producers after its WTO entry.
The scenic port city Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province, is home to 2,500 garment factories and has held 13 Dalian International Fashion Festivals since 1988.
(People's Daily December 7, 2001)
