Doing business the “right” way may have its challenges, but it is necessary for building a long-term sustainable business. As the cannabis and vape industries continue to mature, one core focus must be the enforcement of intellectual property rights. The goal is to prevent commoditization and avoid a detrimental “race to the bottom” that we have witnessed in other aspects of the industry.
Source: AVEO Vapor Devices Granted Patents for Groundbreaking Atomizer and Mouthpiece Design | AP News
Having the privilege of operating “in” China, our group has a unique position that affords us access to insight most average customers do not have. We have recently observed the efforts of Chinese authorities to curb intellectual property infringement. An interesting example of this happened on May 8th this year when the Shenzhen Administration for Market Regulation detained a batch of electronic cigarette vaporizers suspected of infringing on patented technology.
What sets this case apart is that the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Administration, rather than using China Customs, directly went to the factory where the potentially infringing products were being manufactured. The infringement claims were related to a patented technology that involves a simple yet identifiable clip design. This design ensures proper sealing and creates an audible “click” sound to confirm a secure mouthpiece. Sellers may even refer to the featured design as “EZ Click.”
Different than the U.S., the legal process in China for patent infringement is swift and decisive, with decisions often being made within 2-3 months once a formal complaint is verified after product seizure and inspection. Based on our understanding of the legal activities happening within China, we found it imperative to ensure we operated in accordance to the rights of this patent.
AVEO is proud to be the first and only brand to structure a licensing deal that showcases our commitment to ethical business practices and respect for patent owners. Our clients can be assured they will be provided with Goods and Services that meet their business needs without unforeseen disruptions.
Let’s continue to promote responsible and ethical business practices in the industry by working together! #businessethics #patentprotection #sustainablebusiness