BMW CEO fuming over Chinese knock-off of popular X5
08-28-07, 08:04 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
BMW CEO fuming over Chinese knock-off of popular X5
BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is not happy. In a case which proves that nothing is immune to the slight of hand of Chinese manufacturers and their ability and willingness to clone any product on earth, BMW has been forced to threaten legal action over a cheap knock-off version of their popular X5 SUV.
The Chinese-made SUV which ironically enough is called CEO is almost identical in appearance to BMW’s X5…especially from the rear.
The Chinese knock-off is reportedly set be presented at the international automobile fair IAA in Frankfurt Germany later this year.
http://www.ceosmack.com/2007/08/28/b...ar-x5-suv-pics
Trending Topics
08-29-07, 12:09 AM
#12
Keeper of the light
iTrader: (17)
If international knockoffs could have been stopped APPLE would have been the first to kill off the nano copies from china.
At least hyundai worked with Lexus on the Sonata GLS design in 1992 rather than just blatantly ripping the LS400 off in many areas.
At least hyundai worked with Lexus on the Sonata GLS design in 1992 rather than just blatantly ripping the LS400 off in many areas.
08-29-07, 01:19 AM
#13
Apple couldn't stop Microsoft...
I don't see how BMW can stop this company--especially when you can't obtain design patents on the overall look of the back-end of a car. You can get design patents on headlights, tailights, emblems, wheels, etc. It looks like this company made sure to avoid infringing on all of those entities.
Is the Chrysler 300C infringing on the overall look-and-feel of the RR Phantom?
Is/was Windows infringing on the GUI of Apple's Macintosh?
How about the new Microsoft Zune? Looks to me like they are "copying" the ipod...
It is clear that an individual company "copied" BMW's design--particularly the rear end. I don't see how "copying" is limited to Chinese businesses let alone Chinese people as a whole. I don't know about the laws regarding "look-and-feel" but I do know that the courts ruled against Apple in the past.
I don't see how BMW can stop this company--especially when you can't obtain design patents on the overall look of the back-end of a car. You can get design patents on headlights, tailights, emblems, wheels, etc. It looks like this company made sure to avoid infringing on all of those entities.
Is the Chrysler 300C infringing on the overall look-and-feel of the RR Phantom?
Is/was Windows infringing on the GUI of Apple's Macintosh?
How about the new Microsoft Zune? Looks to me like they are "copying" the ipod...
It is clear that an individual company "copied" BMW's design--particularly the rear end. I don't see how "copying" is limited to Chinese businesses let alone Chinese people as a whole. I don't know about the laws regarding "look-and-feel" but I do know that the courts ruled against Apple in the past.
http://people.msoe.edu/~reyer/regency/
. I guess college is good for something afterall 
.
