FBT wins counterfeiting case in China

Italian professional audio manufacturer FBT Elettronica has secured a significant legal victory in China following a criminal trademark counterfeiting case involving the production and intended export of counterfeit loudspeakers bearing the FBT brand. The Yinzhou District People's Court of Ningbo found Ningbo Yinzhou Leonaudio Import & Export – formerly identified in the proceedings as Laisheng Import & Export – and four individuals guilty of offences related to the counterfeiting of the registered FBT trademark.

According to a statement issued by the Italian manufacturer: “The court determined that the defendants had organised the manufacture and export of 400 counterfeit FBT loudspeakers and thousands of counterfeit FBT labels without any authorisation from FBT. All defendants admitted the facts of the case, pleaded guilty, accepted criminal responsibility and cooperated with the authorities. The court imposed criminal convictions, suspended prison sentences on the individual defendants, substantial fines and ordered the confiscation of all counterfeit products, labels, manuals and related materials.”

As part of the resolution of the dispute, the defendants compensated FBT for its economic losses and obtained the company's forgiveness. In a separate Letter of Repentance and Guarantee, Leonaudio Import & Export, together with its management, formally acknowledged that their manufacture and sale of counterfeit FBT-branded loudspeakers constituted the crime of trademark counterfeiting. The company issued a written apology to FBT for the damage caused to the company's reputation, market position and business opportunities. The signatories further undertook to permanently cease all use of the FBT trademark and agreed to accept enhanced legal consequences, including civil, administrative and criminal liability, in the event of any future infringement.

The manufacturer said that the case highlights the effectiveness of FBT's global intellectual property enforcement strategy and reinforces its commitment to protecting customers, distributors and business partners from counterfeit products in international markets. The judgment confirms FBT's exclusive trademark rights and sends a clear message that trademark infringement and counterfeit manufacturing will be pursued through both civil and criminal enforcement channels.