The Guangdong High Court recently upheld a lower court verdict against Midea Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Group, ruling that the appliance maker must stop selling pirated products and levied a fine of 2 million yuan ($314,300).

The case began three years ago when Gree Electric Appliances Inc found that four of Midea's air-conditioner models copied its patented technologies.

Gree brought a lawsuit in Zhuhai Intermediate Court in late 2008, and the first trial was heard in April this year.

As part of its defense strategy, Media filed an application with SIPO to void Gree's patent during the legal proceedings, but also failed in that effort.

(Source: China Daily)