German police checked CeBIT 2008 for “clones”

Technology news and updates blog article

16th March 2008

The authorities of Hannover (Germany) in the middle of last week held a large-scale raid at the international exhibition of CeBIT 2008, aimed at identifying manufacturers illegally using patented technologies.
According to the Associated Press, exhibition stands of 51 companies put under suspicion have been checked. The raid was set in motion 180 police and customs officers. The result of the operation was the seizure of 68 boxes of electronics. Among the confiscated devices there were mobile phones, digital picture frames and other gadgets.
Associated Press does not reveal names of the companies whose exhibits came under suspicion. It is only known that 24 of the inspected stands belong to Chinese compnies, twelve - to Taiwanese ones, nine - to German and three - to Hong Kong ones. In addition, the officers checked the products from Poland, Netherlands and Korea.
CNET News points out that the exhibition was put under the total check because of the appearance of the clone of iPhone mobile phone from a Chinese company Meizu. After that, however, it became clear that the subject of the investigation was the portable MP3 player by this firm.
Apparently, the companies engaged in the illegal use of proprietary technologies, will have to pay fines.