Officials at Zippo Manufacturing Co. are a step closer to
eliminating the production of counterfeit lighters overseas – a
problem that has plagued the company for the last several
years.
Zippo and ZippMark Inc., the company that owns Zippo’s
trademark, have settled with one of the seven companies named in a
complaint filed in August with the U.S. International Trade
Commission, alleging violations of Act 337 regarding the
unauthorized reproduction of Zippo lighters.
Wenzhou Star Smoking Set Co. Ltd., based in Southern China, has
formally promised to cease production of all lighters that infringe
on Zippo’s trademark design and shape, Zippo’s President and Chief
Executive Officer Greg Booth told The Era Friday.
The settlement was announced by the U.S. International Trade
Commission last November.
Booth said the sole condition of the agreement between Zippo and
Wenzhou Star is that the Chinese company has agreed to cease
production of the lighters in question.
“We got exactly what we were looking for in that regard,” Booth
said.
There were no stipulations set forth in the settlement as far as
monetary compensation, he added.
In addition to Wenzhou Star, Zippo named the following overseas
companies in the same complaint with the U.S. International Trade
Commission – Tung Fong International Promotion Co. of China,
Taizhou Rongshi Lighter Development Co. of China, Wenzhou Tailier
Smoking Set Co. of China, beWild.com of Bellmore, N.Y., Kalan LP of
Landsowne and Vista Wholesale of Greencastle, Ind.
To date, Wenzhou Star is the only company to have responded to
the legal complaint.
“We have communicated with some (of the other companies),” Booth
said, adding Wenzhou Star was “the most serious.”
“If we can identify the others,” Booth said, “we will bring
similar action against them as well. We will certainly protect
Zippo’s name and our rights … no matter who’s doing it, we’ll take
them to task.”
Booth went on to say that Zippo, its attorneys and local
legislators are taking a bite out of the problem, but it is a
long-term goal that won’t be achieved overnight. He said officials
with the Chinese government have responded very positively to
Zippo’s concerns, but it will take time – maybe the next five to 10
years – before counterfeiting is stopped altogether.
He pointed out counterfeiting of major, recognized brands like
Zippo is very lucrative.
“(Counterfeiters) make far more money with well-recognized
brands,” Booth said. “The risk is worth the reward.”
He seemed to feel hopeful the counterfeiting problem will be
resolved to Zippo’s satisfaction, however, adding now that “there’s
more teeth into this thing, it will pay off in the long run.”
