ROCHESTER, NY — Navitar, Inc. communicated that Chinese inspection machine maker Dongguan Yihui Photoelectricity Co., one of the companies Navitar had previously reported to the Dongguan China Administration for Industry & Commerce office for falsely advertising Navitar trademarked video microscope lenses as components in their machines, has now been fined for their illegal behaviors.
In June 2014, the Dongguan China AIC began investigations into the business practices of Dongguan Yihui Photo-electricity Co., Ltd. in response to Navitar’s complaint that Yihui was falsely advertising Navitar lenses as components housed within their inspection machines. The AIC bureau has officially completed the investigation and has reported findings that include these and other behaviors of false advertisement including; falsely claiming to hold 30 design patents, claiming to use Japanese-made lead screws in their image measurement instruments, claiming to have an established Hong Kong Headquarters, claiming branch locations in Kunshan and Tianjin and a service department in Beijing, and claiming offices in Changsha, Wuhan, and Anhui, etc. Through investigation, all these advertisements were found to be inconsistent with the facts.
On May 4, 2015, the Dongguan China AIC office ordered Dongguan Yihui Photo-electricity Co., Ltd. to immediately stop its illegal behavior of false advertisement and eliminate the adverse influence, and imposed a fine of RMB 30,000. The company’s actions were found to have violated provisions of the Anti-unfair Competition Law of the PRC and Administrative Penalties Law of PRC.
Navitar’s attorneys in China, Kangda Law Firm Shanghai Office, have enlisted the help of additional local Province AIC offices to take action against other Chinese metrology machine makers that are also engaging in false advertising by stating their metrology machines include Navitar lenses, when they do not. These companies did not purchase lens products from Navitar directly or through a Navitar authorized dealer in China or otherwise, and they are not authorized to utilize the Navitar brand name in any manner.
Navitar, Inc.’s President, Julian Goldstein, explains his actions in China: “The local AIC investigations are of great significance; of course, in the defense of Navitar’s intellectual property rights in China, but more importantly, for the protection of fair and competitive business practices worldwide.
Dongguan Yihui Photo-electricity Co., Ltd is the fourth Chinese firm that has been fined by the local AIC offices for these actions. Goldstein added that Navitar, Inc. has other pending legal actions in China, and will continue to identify and take swift legal action against others who falsely advertise their products, attempt to deceive and mislead the public, and compete unfairly against Navitar, Inc. and Navitar, Inc.’s distributors.
