In an article in Monday’s Financial Times (November 19), Richard and Antony Joseph, founders of Joseph Joseph reflect on the company’s on-going and costly battle to protect their designs worldwide.
Richard looks back to a shocking trip to Canton in 2010 (seven years on from launching the brand). He found 50 exhibitors with copycat versions of Joseph Joseph products. The problem resulted in the hiring of a full-time, Mandarin speaking intellectual property lawyer.
In the article, the brothers admit to the tension caused by the challenge of protecting their brand. They also acknowledge ridiculous attempts at copying their brand (such as a blender by a Chinese electrical manufacturer) and an unnerving example where a counterfeit nesting bowl contained toxic materials.
The Josephs admit they send two teams to international trade fairs: one team mans an exhibition stand while the other scours the fair for copies.
Top: Richard and Antony Joseph pictured with a selection of Joseph Joseph products in 2013.
