| Counterfeit Action Update - April 2003 | |
| action against counterfeit manufacturers | |
| Australia • Bulgaria • China • Czech Republic • Germany • Hungary • Korea • Malaysia • Netherlands • Singapore • South Africa • Turkey • United Kingdom | |
| View last months update (March 2003) | |
 |
Australia |
|
April 2003 The sale of Cuche branded electric kettles have been stopped in Australia. Safety assessments are also being carried out to confirm the STRIX statement that the kettles are unable to conform to the required standards. Agreements between the importer and retailer are currently being negotiated. |
|
 |
Bulgaria |
|
April 2003 SAPIR branded kettles have been removed from the market. |
|
 |
China |
|
April 2003 1st May 2003 sees the application date for Compulsory Certification of Electrical products for Chinese imports and exports. The consumer market in China is seeing explosive growth, and STRIX is currently working with AQSIQ to ensure that kettles for sale on the local market conform to the required standards. Two batches from Guangdong province are being tested currently, and the results will be passed to AQSIQ for enforcement at local manufacturers. Similar actions continue for manufacturers of kettles for export. Legal action continues against the traders at Guangzhou Fair October 2002 who offered for sale products infringing STRIX Intellectual property registered in China. |
|
 |
Czech Republic |
|
April 2003 The second major survey of electric kettles in two years has been carried out by C.O.I. the Czech Market Surveillance Authority. A nationwide survey of electrical product outlets discovered over 140 departures to the safety standards for which sanctions have been applied. The analysis focussed on kettles suspected of being fitted with controls made by unlicensed manufacturers. |
|
 |
Germany |
|
April 2003 Oral hearings for the Yong Heng and Jin Lun cases resulting from the Hometech Fair in Berlin between in February 2002, have been postponed from May to September 2003. Importer Beam, through STRIX legal action, has been prevented from importing KATOMO 380C electric kettles into Germany. The retailer concerned, in a separate agreement with STRIX, has recalled the kettles from the stores and returned them to Beam. |
|
 |
Hungary |
|
April 2003 KATOMO 380C kettle, as imported into the country by Elta Budapest, has been tested by MEEI of Hungary and found to be unable to comply with Hungarian Standards. STRIX is discussing the matter with the local enforcement government department. |
|
 |
Korea |
|
April 2003 Korean Test Laboratory (KTL) are investigating 5 kettles discovered on the market fitted with copies of the STRIX system. Brands involved are Duplex, Minolta, Nova and Turtle. The same kettles have been evaluated by VDE of Germany and have been found to be unable to conform to Korean Standards. |
|
 |
Malaysia |
|
April 2003 Sirim test reports for the latest 12 kettles to appear on the market fitted with copies of the STRIX system were received in April. All failed to achieve the required standards and the information has been passed to the Energy Commission for enforcement. The newly formed Enforcement Division has advised retailers to withdraw the kettles in question and will take enforcement action as necessary in May 2003. |
|
 |
Netherlands |
|
April 2003 Katomo 380 C kettles were also removed from the Netherlands on safety grounds from Doddema stores. Tristar JL 100L kettles were removed from Keijmel Recreatie and Mansero retail outlets on safety grounds. The Netherlands Inspectorate for Health Protection and Veterinary Public Health have completed a report a survey of electric kettles. This survey followed STRIX complaints to the authority about the continued appearance of Tristar kettles on the market in the Netherlands and Belgium. |
|
 |
Singapore |
|
April 2003 Retailers Tangs, Best Denki and Takashimaya received warning letters, cease and desist letters and a demand for damages regarding the sale of kettles fitted with controls infringing STRIX patents. Similar actions were taken against some suppliers/importers. Damages have been received from three parties to date and legal processes are continuing. Two kettle brands were involved, TAKADA TKY 200B, and TOYOMI WK 100A. |
|
 |
South Africa |
|
April 2003 Agreement was reached in April 2003 with Cash Converters, franchiser, of Capetown, to cease the sales of the AMBER HS1751 electric kettles which were fitted with copies of the STRIX control system. Kettles were recalled from franchisees and reworked with genuine STRIX controls. The same kettles were assessed to local safety standards and failed to conform. |
|
 |
Turkey |
|
April 2003 Turkish customs and TSE have collaborated to refuse ZASS branded kettles entry into Turkey. These kettles were found to be fitted with counterfeit copies of the STRIX R72/P69 system. |
|
 |
United Kingdom |
|
April 2003 The sale of Jin Lun (Guangzhou, China) manufactured JL 9170 kettles was discovered in Scotland distributed by Quadrant Housewares of Milton Keynes. Agreement was reached with Quadrant regarding the rejection of future deliveries. |
|
|
help to promote consumer safety |
|
| Return to News Index | |