In March 2014, a family-run engineering business in north-eastern Victoria awoke to a nightmare.

The company's highly successful portable sawmill — exported to more than 100 countries worldwide — was featured on a Chinese website.

But it was not their website and it was not their machine, but a near exact imitation.

"We've always been concerned that there'd be a copier in somewhere like China," Lucas Mills co-owner Warren Lucas explained.

"Matt, who is my right-hand man, spends a lot of time on the internet just keeping an eye on what our competitors are up to.

"And he found a company that was even advertising it basically as a Lucas Mill."

The company sought urgent advice from a Melbourne patent attorney firm.

"There has been a long-standing problem of Chinese companies infringing patent rights of foreigners," Tracey Hendy of FPA Patent Attorneys said.

But getting evidence that would be strong enough to challenge the counterfeiters in a Chinese court of law was a daunting and difficult task.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-16/lucas-mill-family-fight-to-stop-chinese-copies-of-sawmill/7848394

thata a fantastic story   and what a brilliant idea.. well done to this family...the Chinese need to be SHAMED for what they do...


they dont like that being shamed...

I trust they got their money anyway.

Yep, great sting

Anyone's guess if Lucas will get their compensation. However, with sales in more than 100 countries, they'll probably be able to absorb the loss. Not the point though, is it?

I wonder if the World Trade Organization would be willing to guarantee the payment?

I'd be on the phone exploring every option to get that A$215,000

“It is a commercial reality that until Chinese manufacturers gain the necessary sophistication in patent law they will continue to make copies of foreign products."


Useful information for anyone applying for Patents



"In round 2, the defendant applied to the Chinese Patent Office to invalidate Lucas Mill’s patent and failed. The validity of the patent was upheld."


Cheeky buggers



http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/3-rounds-to-lucas-mill-in-chinese-56959/