ELECTRIC KETTLES FITTED WITH COPIES of STRIX Limited's control system are no longer on sale in South Africa.

This British Isles based thermostat manufacturer with patents registered in this country was able to prevent Hi Fi Corporation from selling electric kettles fitted with the infringing components manufactured by a Chinese manufacturer.

These kettles were subsequently removed from sales early in January after an agreement was reached between STRIX and Hi Fi Corporation without recourse to formal legal action. Unsold kettles were presented to STRIX Limited for destruction.

The electric kettle concerned was the Singer Brand kettle reference SGK200. This kettle caused a stir in the market when it was advertised for sale at a retail price of R79 by Hi Fi Corporation stores, a price far below other imported and locally made kettles.

STRIX welcomes the co-operation by Hi Fi Corporation and the situation has demonstrated the STRIX policy to aggressively enforce its Intellectual Property Rights wherever in the world they are infringed.

In common with other world leading manufacturers STRIX Limited have found the market threatened by the appearance of cheap imitations of their products made in China. Whilst China's accession to the World Trade Organisation in November 2001 heralded a determination to stamp out the manufacture of shoddy goods and patent infringements, electric kettles continue to be exported to parts of the world where enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights and Safety requirements are inadequate.

The South Africa Bureau of Standards has conducted its own investigation into the Singer SGK 200 appliance, their further actions being of a confidential nature.

The Singer SGK200