Savio Thesan succeeds in patent infringement in Shanghai

With decision issued in June 2021 the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court recognized the patent infringement and awarded damages compensation to Savio Thesan Building Materials Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Savio Thesan S.p.A.

The decision is the first of a series of cases initiated by the company to protect its IPRs against copiers assisted by HFG Law Firm in China.

Founded in 1889, Savio Thesan S.p.A. (herein “Savio Thesan”) is a European company leader in hardware for aluminum windows and doors. Headquartered in Turin (Italy), the company has commercial presence in Shanghai, China and other countries. 

Savio Thesan has always paid much attention to quality and innovation. Its R&D department employs 51 expert technicians on a total staff of 450 employees (more than 10%!). Savio Thesan has also obtained more than 190 patents in several countries around the world.

Luigi Savio product catalogue (1936)

The Chinese patent ZL 200510081135.6 disputed in the present case at issue is protecting a disappearing hinging device for windows and doors. Herein the drawing No. 1 from the disputed patent.

Talking with Sandro Doveri, GM of Savio Thesan Shanghai, we have learnt that the product protected by the said patent is copied in China by several companies. “We have decided to put a stop to the infringement to our technology and to initiate patent infringement cases to pursue the infringers” said the manager Mr. Doveri.  

Photo of the product from the Defendant

The Court decisions established that the two defendants shall stop the infringement immediately, shall compensate Savio Thesan the economic loss and the reasonable expenses for rights protection [Shanghai Intellectual Property Court  (2020) Hu 73 Zhi Min Chu No. 626 / （2020）沪73知民初326号].

The case demonstrates that damages compensation arising from patent infringement and IPRs infringement in general are growing nowadays in China. 

This decision shall serve as stimulus to all companies to innovate more, invest more in IP and pursue cases in front of People Courts.