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Amtrex-Hitachi sues Godrej

BS Corporate Bureau

Amtrex-Hitachi Appliances is setting the stage for a battle with Godrej Appliance over infringement of design copyrights.

Anil Gupta, head of marketing of Amtrex Hitachi said, "We had filed a suit in the Ahmedabad civil court against Godrej Appliances for infringement of copyright of Hitachi's registered design."

Gupta said, "Godrej is selling air-conditioners of front grill design which is similar to our design. Amtrex Hitachi had applied for and received registration for this design from the office of controller of patents under registration number 176456 in May 1998.

A spokesperson of Godrej Appliances said, "Godrej appliances range of air conditioners is designed for Indian conditions with unique features. The company has filed an affidavit in response to the legal complaint by one of its competitors and the matter is subjudice."

The company launched its new brand -- Intelli range of air conditioners in January 2001and is priced at Rs 28,990 for a 1.5 ton.

Amtrex-Hitachi says that the grill has been designed at Hitachi's design centre at Tokyo in Japan and is developed in India by the company to suit customer needs here.

Amtrex-Hitachi Appliances is promoted by the Ahmedabad-based Lalbhai group and Japanese consumer electronics major Hitachi.

Gupta said, 'Last year also, the company had sent a letter to Godrej for using such similar designs on its air- conditioner which sold under the Godrej brand. Following which, they agreed that it would change its designs and then the matter was solved."

"This is the second time, where Godrej has done it again with its new brand Intelli. So, we decided to take the matter to court," Gupta added.

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