In a recent development that brings hope to lighting companies facing patent infringement, Zhongshan has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening intellectual property (IP) protection. At the first IP Lighting Summit Forum held last weekend, Chen Xichong, deputy director of the Zhongshan Intellectual Property Office, revealed that the city will invest 1 million yuan this year to support local lighting firms in purchasing "patent insurance," specifically designed to safeguard the IP rights of Guzhen-based manufacturers.
One major challenge faced by the industry is the high frequency of patent infringement cases. According to statistics, the number of such cases closed over three years increased sixfold, highlighting the growing need for better legal and financial protection. In 2011, a well-known lamp company in Zhongshan launched a swan-headed lamp, which quickly attracted imitators. The company found that at least 30 other firms were producing similar products, and many others faced similar issues. This trend is partly due to the short product cycles in the lighting industry, which discourages investment in R&D and encourages imitation instead.
Zhou Jintian, director of the Rights Protection Center, explained that the center has been actively helping companies take legal action against infringers. In one case, it took nearly three months of investigation and mediation before an infringing company finally ceased production and paid compensation. Since its establishment in 2011, the center has handled numerous cases, significantly improving the efficiency of IP enforcement.
Jiao Xuejun, head of the Patent Management Section at the Zhongshan Intellectual Property Office, noted that the increase in resolved cases reflects a rising awareness of IP protection among local enterprises. He also emphasized that the Rights Protection Center has become more effective in mediating disputes and securing settlements. For instance, in 2012 alone, the center successfully settled 225 out of 234 cases, with total compensation reaching 471,800 yuan.
A key innovation in handling IP disputes is the "administrative mediation + judicial judgment" approach, which has drastically reduced the time required to resolve cases. By bringing patent enforcement and judicial trials directly to the "factory gate," the system allows for faster evidence recognition and dispute resolution. As a result, what used to take up to six months can now be completed in as little as one month.
This model has proven highly effective, with a settlement rate of 92.24% in the first nine months of this year. Looking ahead, Zhongshan, along with Foshan, Jiangmen, and Shunde, plans to sign a judicial confirmation agreement, enabling companies from different regions to report infringements locally, thus reducing the time and cost associated with cross-regional legal actions.
To further support businesses, Zhongshan has introduced "patent insurance." This specialized insurance product offers coverage for potential losses due to patent infringement. Enterprises can choose their level of coverage, with a base premium of 2,000 yuan and an additional 400 yuan per item. The maximum compensation amount is 15 times the premium. Both the town and city governments have contributed to the program, with the current cost split between the enterprise, the town government, and the Intellectual Property Office in a 4:3:3 ratio. This year, the city’s budget includes 1 million yuan to help companies purchase patent insurance, with plans to increase funding next year.
Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Online infringement, in particular, is becoming increasingly difficult to detect and address. With the rise of e-commerce, many online stores operate without physical locations, making it hard to trace and block infringing products. Additionally, some companies disassemble patented products into multiple parts to avoid detection, complicating the process of proving infringement. These issues require greater awareness and proactive measures from enterprises themselves.
As the lighting industry continues to evolve, the combination of legal support, financial assistance, and technological advancements will play a crucial role in protecting intellectual property and fostering sustainable growth.
Welded Gabion Box
A gabion is a cage, cylinder, or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil for use in civil engineering, road building, military applications and landscaping.
Gabion baskets are wire containers made of hexagonal netting. The wire is double twisted and the mesh is reinforced by a wire border along the edges. The baskets are filled with stones and linked together to form a monolithic structure.
Gabion box, also known as a gabion basket, is a WIRE MESH container filled with stones or other hard materials. They are used in civil engineering projects to control erosion, stabilize soil, and create retaining walls.
Gabion mesh is the wire material used to make gabion boxes and baskets. It is typically made of heavy galvanized steel or coated with PVC to resist corrosion. The mesh is woven into a hexagonal pattern to provide strength and flexibility.
Gabion mesh is a type of wire mesh that is used to build structures like retaining walls, erosion control barriers, and other similar structures. It is typically made of steel wire that is woven into a mesh pattern, and then filled with rocks or other materials to create a strong, durable structure. The mesh is designed to be strong enough to hold the weight of the materials inside, while also being flexible enough to conform to different shapes and sizes. Gabion mesh is often used in civil engineering projects, landscaping, and other construction projects.
Gabion,Gabion Baskets,Gabion Box,Gabion Mesh
Hebei Aibuer trading co., Ltd , https://www.ablehardwares.com