HPMI members deny charges by Honda<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chinese motorcycle distributors and importers
\ndenied on Thursday allegations that their products have been
\ninfringing the patent rights of Honda.<\/p>\n
According to the newly established Indonesian Motorcycle
\nIndustry Association (HPMI), which groups mostly distributors and
\nimporters of non-Japanese motorbikes, the allegation was made
\nmerely as a ploy to ruin the image of their motorbikes.<\/p>\n
The association's chairman Henry J. Gunawan said that Honda's
\nmove to advertise its allegation in the media was a maneuver to
\nturn public opinion against Chinese motorcycles.<\/p>\n
\"Chinese motorcycles have been marketed in Indonesia for three
\nyears, why didn't they make a case then? Instead they are
\nattacking us when our market is growing,\" he said at a media
\nconference here after a ceremony marking his appointment as
\nchairman of HPMI.<\/p>\n
Honda claimed that several Chinese motorcycles have been using
\nits patented decompression system, a system which makes engine
\nignition easier. The system was patented at the Indonesian Patent
\nOffice in 1995, and was valid and enforceable until 2005, the
\ncompany asserted.<\/p>\n
Henry said that seven of HPMI's 28 members, have received
\nwarnings to halt further imports and to remove the device from
\ntheir existing stocks. The companies include Hokaido, Beijing,
\nQinggi, Sanex and Millennium, he said.<\/p>\n
HPMI lawyer Didi Irawadi Syamsuddin of the Amir Syasuddin &
\nPartners Law Office, said that even if the patent was enforceable
\nin Indonesia, in China the patent for the device has been
\nrevoked.<\/p>\n
He said that the device had been adopted by many motorcycles
\nin China and since businessmen here imported the motorcycles in
\nCBU form it was wrong to blame the importers.<\/p>\n
\"Furthermore, the device has been investigated by a technical
\nteam in China, which found many differences between it and
\nHonda's decompression device,\" Didi said.<\/p>\n
The association would formally deny Honda's allegations, and
\nfurthermore query the validity of Honda's patent and ask for a
\nreview, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We are questioning whether Honda has performed its
\nobligations under the patent law, including producing the
\npatented product locally,\" Didi said, adding that the association
\nwas ready to face Honda if ever the case came to court.<\/p>\n
\"Honda needs to be very careful, because our retaliation will
\nbe even more dangerous,\" Henry said. (tnt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hpmi-members-deny-charges-by-honda-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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