Continental warns against pirated reproductions

Hanover, Germany -- Continental AG has issued a warning against counterfeit Conti products, in particular from Asia.

The company is taking action against product piracy, and has already had several major successes, said Conti in a 7 Nov statement.

So far sales of truck tyres produced in China with illegally copied Conti treads have been stopped in Germany and the tyre dealers involved agreed to cease-and-desist without court proceedings. The company has also made a claim for damages against a dealer in Taiwan.

According to Conti, imitation products can cause potentially fatal accidents because they do not have the same quality as original Conti products.

"Pirated reproductions do not have the same material and processing quality as genuine products, and can quickly become a safety risk," said Manfred Wennemer, chairman of the executive board at Conti.

"We will keep our eyes open at all times and everywhere, in particular at regional and international trade fairs. We are making every attempt to continue to prevent the manufacturing and sales of counterfeit Continental products," said Wennemer. "If forced to do so, we will not hesitate to use legal means."

Continental has had a few problems in the past with counterfeit products. In August, the company's ContiTech division won its case against a Taiwanese trader for counterfeit V-ribbed belts.

According to OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), product piracy in Germany alone amounts to €2500 million and to $200 000 million worldwide.

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Press release from Continental