Rotork re-affirms its European intellectual property rights
28/09/2009
Rotork re-affirms its European intellectual property rights as copier Autork loses its appeal on numerous infringements.
In 2007, the Dutch District Court found that the community design rights, trademark and copyrights of the valve actuator manufacturer Rotork had been infringed by the Shanghai Autork Digital Instrument Co. Ltd. (Autork), also known as Greatork.
The Court has now dismissed an appeal by Autork, thus concluding the proceedings. The decision of the Court is therefore final.
The wide ranging judgement ordered Autork 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, with over 50 years experience of manufacturing actuators, has been responsible for introducing many valve automation innovations and its products are the result of extensive research and development. Rotork urges 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. If in any doubt, customers are requested to contact their nearest official Rotork representative.