When ACID member CIMC received a visit to their stand from a company called Dongguan Guanding Furniture Craft Company, they were offered a brochure including what would appear to have been not only exact replicas of some CIMC products but also showing some of CIMC’s own images.  CIMC immediately contacted the ACID stand at January Furniture Show. Simon Bull, Head of Membership contacted the Hall Manager who spoke with the three people concerned and, following an investigation of their mobile phones and video equipment, confiscated approximately 1700 images which had been taken without permission.

ACID has the following comments and advice: 

• One of the reasons the January Furniture Show is an ACID Accredited exhibition organiser is because they adopt the highest standards regarding intellectual property respect, ethics and compliance and offer a free mediation service through ACID for all exhibitors if alleged copies are discovered
• January Furniture Show is a No Photography  show. This is why all exhibitors are given a free ACID No Photography sign in their welcome packs to display. Of course this does not preclude photography with the stand owner’s permission
• Mobile phone photos and videos can be around the world in seconds showing specific trends, new designs and, virtually on the production line in a very short time so vigilance is critical
• It is unlawful to use the images which do not belong to you without express permission. Clearly it is more than difficult to pursue Chinese companies who do this with the intent of using them to sell designs which do not belong to them. In this scenario the January Furniture Show organisers acted with speed and purpose to protect exhibitors further.
• ACID will be engaging with the show organisers after the exhibition to discuss how a NO PHOTOGRAPHY policy can be tightened up. Immediately, we will be suggesting that any confiscated images or videos are examined and companies informed if they are included so that they can be on the look-out for any copies which may appear and to raise awareness about the danger of unauthorised photography
• ACID is supported at January Furniture Show with a team of IP lawyers from McDaniel & Co and their services are available to all exhibitors for the duration of the show
• ACID IS AVAILABLE IN HALL 1 B90 FOR ANY ADVICE ON THIS AND OTHER IP ISSUES