‘VALVE USERS’ - BEWARE IMITATION PRODUCTS!

In the last issue, we advised valve users of the perils of using bogus agents. This issue we have a similar theme, but this time regarding imitation products...

Rotork has recently successfully defended its intellectual property rights in Europe. In a legal judgement on 11th April 2007, the Court of The Hague, Netherlands, found Shanghai Autork Digital Apparatus Co. Ltd guilty of slavish imitation, breach of copyright and violation of design rights relating to Rotork’s current actuator range. In addition ‘Autork’ was found guilty of infringing Rotork’s internationally recognised trademark. In a wide ranging judgement, ‘Autork’ was ordered by the Court, with immediate effect, to stop infringing Rotork’s proprietary rights throughout the whole of the expanded European Community. The Court further instructed ‘Autork’ to remove infringing product from storage addresses, distribution points and customers. Rotork, currently celebrating its 50thanniversary, has been responsible for introducing many innovations within valve automation and its productsare the result of extensive research and development. Rotork has urged its customers and users to be vigilant and wary of inferior imitations of its products and components that have not been subjected to the same level of third party approvals and certifications. We would offer the same advice to all valve and actuator users - be wary of what you are buying, and from who you are buying it.

Published: 25th September 2009