ContiTech claims victory in fake drive belt case

The German automotive supplier said in a press release that following a tip from a customer, local authorities searched the headquarters of Fuju Rubber company south of Shanghai. According to ContiTech, “they found large numbers of fake multiple V-ribbed belts as well as packaging with ContiTech labeling. In addition, further pirated drive belts with the designation of a leading Japanese carmaker were also confiscated”.

The company Taizhou Fuju Rubber Belt Manufacture Co Ltd has been fined, according to ContiTech.

Helmut Engel, head of the automotive aftermarket sector in the ContiTech Power Transmission Group, said: “This is a major step in the prosecution of illicit reproduction cases, since it was the first time that we were able to determine the manufacturer directly. Often, only the dealers and importers are held to account, and the producers of the copies remain unknown.”

He added that in the future, ContiTech will work more closely with its customers in the fight against product piracy. “The key to this success was also our speedy response. It was possible to confiscate the products just a few days after the suspicion was voiced.”

In 2007, roughly 20,000 fake drive belts and packaging with ContiTech labeling were seized by customs authorities in Malta and then destroyed upon release by the courts. In the same year, in Taiwan a trader and a general importer were ordered to pay damages after a court found them guilty of dealing in about 4,500 phony V-ribbed belts and approximately 13,000 faked boxes.

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