The retained panels were shipped by Canadian Solar and Sunova Solar to Europe and Latin America, respectively. The total value of the seized products exceeds CNY 5 million.
Shanghai Customs have temporarily seized several containers suspected of intellectual property rights (IPR) infringement based on intellectual property rights registration data, Chinese media outlet Xinhua Daily reported.
Among the seized products were TOPCon HiKu 6 modules from Chinese-Canadian manufacturer Canadian Solar that were shipped for shipment to Europe worth CNY 3.73 million ($513,700), as well as TOPCon Tangra modules from Sunova Solar, which were sent to Latin America. America, valued at CNY 1.43 million.
The total value of containers held, which amounted to nine units, exceeded CNY 5 million.
Shanghai Customs explained that the protective registration of IPR systems by Chinese Customs is an essential means for companies to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights. After companies register their patents, trademarks and other intellectual property with customs, and goods suspected of infringement are discovered during customs clearance, customs authorities may seize the goods and notify rights holders according to the Regulations on Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights of Customs. People’s Republic of China, effectively preventing economic losses for rights holders.
In a statement to pv magazineA spokesperson for Canadian Solar said that in China, any party can request customs to detain incoming or outgoing containers based on alleged infringements of intellectual property rights, provided they post a required deposit. “This is standard procedure and does not imply an established violation,” the spokesperson said.
Such arrests typically require the detainee to pay an administrative fine or provide proof of no offense in order to release the cargo. However, these situations often end with the payment of fines.
Sunova Solar has not responded so far pv magazinerequest for comment on the case.
With the development of the solar energy industry, the protection of intellectual property rights has become a crucial support for technological innovation and industrial modernization for Chinese enterprises. This year alone, companies such as JinkoSolar, JA Solar and Trina Solar have publicly called for stricter penalties against intellectual property rights violations and advocated international cooperation in the protection of intellectual property rights.
The increase in the number of intellectual property rights disputes between Chinese photovoltaic companies underlines the need for Shanghai Customs supervision of exports to significantly reduce the future flow of solar products suspected of infringing intellectual property rights to overseas markets .
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