Top court's new IP tribunal upholds French firm's patent

The top court on Wednesday ruled in favor of a French global automotive supplier in a patent dispute with two Chinese car accessory companies amid the country's intensified efforts to protect intellectual property rights.

It was also the first public hearing by the Intellectual Property Court of the Supreme People's Court since the special court was set up on Jan 1.

Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage, one of the world's leading auto component providers, sued Xiamen Lukasi Car Accessories Co and Xiamen Fuke Wiper Co, two companies based in Fujian province, claiming infringement of Valeo's patent on a connector for windshield wipers.