Reef One triumphs in action in The Hague

The British aquarium designer Reef One says it has succeeded with its action against Dutch company Aquadistri to protect its intellectual property rights. Reef One, creator of the “Bi Orb” line of aquariums, reportedly brought the action before the court in The Hague after the Dutch retailer of aquarium products marketed a design that strongly resembled the “Bi Orb Life” range of aquariums.The court came to the decision that Aquadistri’s “Visi On” design was actually a copy of the specific acrylic design of “Bi Orb Life”, Reef One said. The court further decided that the curved sides of the “Visi On” did not constitute any distinction from the overall impression created by the “Life” aquarium.According to Reef One, Aquadistri was ordered not to continue to offer, sell or distribute the aquarium and may be punished with a fine of £ 5 000 for every “Visi On” aquarium sold. In addition, the company must pay the legal costs of Reef One.