This article is more than 1 year old

Ericsson polices CeBIT bootleggers

Pirates in a Messe

Ericsson has slapped at least ten vendors with legal action for exhibiting pirate products at this year's CeBIT. The Swedish company said it has "a handful" of spies policing the halls at the Hanover Messe, searching for companies using its name on phone accessories. It has so far handed out at least 30 cease and desist letters to companies using the Ericsson brand in copied products - including on mobile phone batteries, front panels and cases. These vendors have to report to a German court within days of receiving the letters, where they will be ordered to halt production or fined. As a result of Ericsson's vigilance, three injunctions have been issued to stop exhibitors at CeBIT 2000 showing and selling Ericsson-branded kit. Bo Albertson, MD of information and events at Ericsson Mobile Communications, refused to reveal the names of the companies involved. "This is our third year of walking around CeBIT, and it has been very successful. The number of companies exhibiting counterfeit products has declined." CeBIT is not the only show where Ericsson patrols stands hunting for counterfeiters. But according to Albertson: "We are more organised at CeBIT." ® Related stories Software pirates still at large in UK Microsoft piracy buster trashes software and reputation

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like