Tobin J. M. Richardson, chairman of
ZigBee Alliance, allegedly emailed a Chinese and English announcement to more
than 400 ZigBee Alliance members and interested stakeholders on Oct. 20th,
2014, in which he claims that Chinese enterprise "Nanjing IOT Sensor
Technology Co., Ltd." (hereinafter referred to as "Wulian
Group") has been inaccurately and intentionally misadvertising its
products as being "ZigBee Certified."
Now, this news has produced negative
effects on Nanjing IOT Sensor Technology Co., Ltd. ("Wulian Group")
and its partners. Therefore, Wulian Group hereto releases the following
announcements:
1. Wulian Group is the legal holder of the
"ZigBee" trademark (Category 7, Category 11) recognized by Chinese
Trademark Office (CTMO).
2. Wulian Group has never publicized that Wulian
Group's products have been certified by ZigBee Alliance.
3. ZigBee Alliance established its "ZigBee Alliance
China Regional Headquarters" in Wulian Group's Shanghai
office in 2012.
Wulian Group has never claimed that Wulian Group has represented ZigBee
Alliance on any occasion. Wulian Group only has used the "ZigBee Alliance
China Regional Headquarters" title in some promotional materials. We
believe it's not improper to use the title, and Wulian Group has never received
any written objection from ZigBee Alliance.
4. Wulian Group will investigate the legitimacy of
the ZigBee trademark on foreign products that have entered or will enter the China market, and will reserve the right of pursuing the protection
afforded under China's
trademark laws.
5. Wulian Group demands
ZigBee Alliance to withdraw the inappropriate remarks and eliminate the adverse
effects initiatively.
Since this year, Mr. Osbourne, the
chairman of ZigBee Alliance Board, and Mr. Richardson, the chairman of ZigBee
Alliance have negotiated repeatedly on the promotion of ZigBee technology in the China market and the ownership of ZigBee trademarks with Mr.
Zhu Jungang, the Co-founder & CEO of Wulian Group and his negotiation team.
Wulian Group has emphasized several times that Wulian Group is willing to
contribute to the global unity and authority of ZigBee trademarks. However,
ZigBee Alliance allegedly insists that Wulian Group transfers the ZigBee
trademarks to ZigBee Alliance unconditionally. This is unreasonable. Wulian
Group thinks that these ZigBee trademarks are Chinese intellectual property
acquired by Wulian Group as per Chinese laws via a legal way and in the country
of China.
These trademarks should belong to the enterprises, institutions, or alliances that are registered in China, or the
branches that are founded by the Chinese relative authorities. However, this
reasonable requirement was allegedly refused by ZigBee Alliance Board.
With the rapid development of IoT
(Internet of Things) and the smart home industry, ZigBee technology is facing
fierce competition from WiFi, Bluetooth, and other wireless technologies.
Therefore, each ZigBee member company and related enterprises should unite and
make full use of ZigBee technology to enhance market confidence in ZigBee
technology. At this crucial market promotion moment, as the chairman of ZigBee
Alliance, Mr. Tobin not only allegedly failed to concentrate on the strong
challenge of Bluetooth, Wifi, and other technologies, but wasted precious time
and energy in criticizing Wulian Group who has made great contributions to the
popularization and promotion of ZigBee technology. For that, we are deeply
confused and regretful.
As a company that has been dedicated
to the research and promotion of ZigBee technology for years, Wulian Group is
and will still be an important stakeholder of ZigBee technology. Wulian Group
understands that the unity, authority, and uniqueness of the ZigBee trademark are
very important to ZigBee Alliance member companies and other stakeholders.
Wulian Group doesn't want to see the split of ZigBee supporters or any adverse
information related to ZigBee since any damage to ZigBee's reputation will hurt
Wulian Group as well. Wulian Group is still sincerely hoping that ZigBee
Alliance will consult with Wulian Group and relevant Chinese government
departments about the legal usage of ZigBee trademarks and product
certification in rational methods. Wulian Group also hopes ZigBee product
suppliers who plan to enter the Chinese market will use "ZigBee"
marks with caution and contact us actively to discuss the authorization of
legal usage of ZigBee trademarks in China. Wulian Group also welcomes
ZigBee product suppliers who plan to enter the Chinese market to contact us and
discuss the trademark usage authorization. Meanwhile, Wulian Group has appealed
to Chinese
Trademark Office (CTMO) and other related judicial departments to protect
Chinese enterprises' legal rights, and make sure that intellectual property
gets its due respect.
With the constant rise of new
technology, global competition has become even more intense and complicated.
Wulian Group is willing to cooperate closely with partners as always to make
contribution to IoT and smart home development as well as intellectual property
protection.
Nanjing IOT Sensor
Technology Co., Ltd. ("Wulian Group")
October 24, 2014