Hanse halts Italian imitator
HanseYachts obtains preliminary injunction against Italian imitator building Fjord 42 copyAn Italian company has been forbidden to further manufacture, advertise, hold, exhibit, promote, sell or transfer an imitative boat that resembles a "Latin version" of German boatbuilder Hanse's Fjord 42 (pictured).
With the order of an Italian court of January 16, 2018, considerable penalties apply to any future breach of the orders.
The court reasoned that the imitative yard has committed acts of unfair competition.
Its yacht is said to be a slavish imitation of Fjord yachts, misappropriating Fjord’s qualities, and conflicting with its principle of professional fairness.
The court found that the imitative yacht is likely to be perceived as a “Latin version” of the Fjord 42, therefore giving rise to both a likelihood of confusion and a free-ride on HanseYachts’ commercial success on part of the Italian shipyard.'
The decision is not final yet since the undisclosed company could still appeal against it.
“This is an important partial victory,” says Dr Jens Gerhardt, CEO of HanseYachts AG.
“Usually, certain details have been copied to date, such as the Dehler Uni Door or the signature window lines of the Sealine and Hanse families.
"We have taken this sportive until now, and see it as a compliment in many ways for our innovative and outstanding quality in design.
"But the copy of an entire boat is something that we cannot accept.”
The Fjord 42 sells for almost $1 million on the Australian market. More on Fjord boats for sale on our sites.
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