Garfield sues Chinese publishers

Garfield, the famous cartoon cat, has stirred up yet another copyright infringement dispute between Chinese and foreign companies.

The US-based Paws Incorporated has accused three Chinese companies of selling Garfield cartoons in China without permission, China Daily reported.

The case is being heard by the Beijing Second Intermediate People's Court against Beijing Kewen Book Information Technology Co. Ltd., Beijing Science and Culture Cambridge Co. Ltd. and Xiwang Publishing House, the latter based in north China's Shanxi Province.

The three companies denied wrongdoing, the newspaper said.

"As the two sides still have to put forward more evidence, Friday's trial only heard the statement and argument of the two sides but did not give a verdict," it added.

Garfield, a popular comic strip about a mischievous cat, is syndicated in newspapers worldwide.

The US company is demanding the Chinese companies to stop selling the books, call back and destroy books on the market and in reserve, and make a public apology via the media.

In addition, the publishing house has asked for compensation of more than 770,000 yuan ($93,000) and to pay the plaintiff's bill for filing the case.

Liu Zhijun, the Chinese publishing house's attorney, says the US company does not have the right to file a lawsuit because it is not actually the owner of the Garfield copyright. Ma Xiaogang, another attorney of the publishing house, questioned the intention of Paws. He says the books were published early in 1999 and on sale in China for five years.

China and the United States often clash on the issue of intellectual property rights violations.

Industry insiders estimate that the market value of counterfeit goods including films, music, publishing, software, pharmaceuticals and automotive parts in China will run into billions of dollars annually. - PTI

Paws Incorporated displays its Garfield balloon at The 77th Annual Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27, 2003 in New York City. Photo: Matthew Peyton/Getty Images