Chinese Court Orders Cease and Desist in Lifetime Products Trademark Infringement Case

CLEARFIELD, Utah, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Products, a world leader in blow-molded folding tables and chairs, announced today that the Shanghai Pudong New District People's Court issued a judgment in favor of Lifetime's trademark infringement case against Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Lifan Furniture Co. Ltd/Hangzhou Xiaoshan Dadongnan Plastic Packing Co. Ltd (collectively "Lifan").

In April of 2011, Lifetime took action to enforce its trademark rights by instituting litigation against Lifan who was manufacturing folding utility tables that featured the Lifetime logo. The case involved seizing infringing products through both the local police and the Chinese customs authority. Today's judgment requires Lifan to cease and desist from infringing Lifetime's trademark, pay Lifetime compensation of 150,000 RMB, and destroy the infringing molds. Lifan has ten days to appeal the judgment.

"This is a significant milestone for Lifetime Products, Inc. and US manufacturers as a whole," said Lifetime President Richard Hendrickson. "This judgment marks the first time Lifetime has successfully enforced its Chinese intellectual property rights in a Chinese court. Our legal team in China did a fantastic job from start to finish on this case beginning with gathering evidence to be used in the case, coordinating the seizures with the local and national authorities, and successfully arguing infringement before the court."

Lifetime has a long history of creating a strong, global patent portfolio and of enforcing its intellectual property rights in the United States and other countries throughout the world. Most recently, last month the Chinese Patent Reexamination Board "PRB" reaffirmed the validity of one of Lifetime's Chinese patents. As both a manufacturer and innovator, Lifetime continues to monitor the international market for products that infringe its intellectual property, and will take appropriate action to enforce its intellectual property rights in venues worldwide when necessary.  

In 1998, Lifetime introduced the first blow-molded polyethylene folding utility table to the market. They followed their success with the table by introducing a blow-molded polyethylene folding chair in 2000. Today, Lifetime is the world's largest manufacturer of blow-molded polyethylene folding tables and chairs and holds a portfolio of patents protecting these products.

About Lifetime and Lifetime Folding Tables and Chairs

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Lifetime Products, Inc. was established in 1986 and is a privately-held company headquartered in Clearfield, Utah. In 1995, Lifetime Products invented the first blow-molded polyethylene tabletop- a picnic table that was stronger, lighter, and more durable than traditional picnic tables. In 1998, Lifetime introduced the first blow-molded polyethylene folding banquet table. Lifetime is the world's leading manufacturer of polyethylene folding tables, chairs, and residential basketball hoops with products sold in 58 countries. With other offerings from outdoor sheds and carts to kayaks and soccer goals, Lifetime continues to develop innovative products.

SOURCE Lifetime Products, Inc.