The Japanese media and toy company Bandai successfully sued the Chinese toy manufacturer Hongli for violating its trademarks with toys that closely resembled the designs in Bandai’s Mobile Suit Gundam and BB Senshi Sangokuden plastic models. Bandai filed the suit in November of 2009.
As a result, Hongli issued a public apology to Bandai, via an ad in the May 13 edition of the 21st Century Business News newspaper. The Chinese court also ordered Hongli to pay damages and Bandai’s legal fees totaling 820,000 yuan (about 10 million yen or US$130,000), and to stop selling of the offending goods.
(Animenewsnetwork & Inside Games)
Hongli appealed the original ruling, but the Beijing High Court upheld the ruling on December 17, 2010. In addition to the apology, Bandai is still working to ensure that the rest of the ruling is carried out.