Local Chinese herbal drink maker Tianfu Cola Group Co has prevailed in a lawsuit against its former partner Pepsi to retrieve its formula, the first time a Chinese brand has won such a lawsuit.

Tianfu's victory reflects increasing brand awareness among Chinese companies, experts said.

Founded in the early 1980s, Tianfu Cola made in Chongqing was then a leader in the nation's soft drink market.

It established a joint venture with the multinational beverage giant Pepsi in 1994, yet the original agreement that 50 percent of the joint venture's total output would be Tianfu Cola was not honored.

Instead, production of the Chinese brand drink was reduced year by year until Tianfu sold its entire stake to its foreign partner

In 2009, Tianfu initiated legal procedures for infringement.

"Our ultimate goal is to restore the production of Tianfu Cola as well as other drinks and rebuild our proprietary brand," said Qian Huang, general manager of Tianfu.

(Source: China Daily)