FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2017, file photo, Danish Crown Prince Frederik, center, chats with invited guests as they look at the Forbidden City made of Lego bricks on display at the Royal Modern Household Exhibition at the Danish Cultural Center in 798 art district in Beijing, Danish toy maker Lego says Thursday Dec. 7, 2017 that it has won major legal victory in China, where a court ruled in its favor in a copyright case against companies making knockoffs of its famous colored bricks. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
December 07, 2017 - 2:43 AM
HONG KONG - Danish toy maker Lego says it has won a major legal victory in China, where a court ruled in its favour in a copyright case against companies making knockoffs of its famous colored bricks.
The company said Thursday that it was the first time it has won an unfair competition case against imitators in China.
It said the Shantou Intermediate People's Court ruled that two Chinese companies selling Bela brand blocks similar to the Lego Friends line infringed a copyright and ordered them to stop.
The court issued its ruling in September but the decision didn't take effect until November.
Earlier this year, a Beijing court ruled that Lego's name and logo are well-known trademarks in China, giving the company stronger legal footing for pursuing copyright cases.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017