Blatant plagiarism awarded

The blatant plagiarism of an AXOR and Hansgrohe tap has been recognised at the “Plagiarius 2017” awards, held for the 41st time at an international press conference in Frankfurt at “Ambiente”, the largest trade fair for consumer goods. The negative “Plagiarius” prize initiated by design Professor Rido Busse attracted a total of 27 submissions and the jury awarded three main prizes, as well as seven ‘honourable’ mentions.

Two blatant copies of AXOR and Hansgrohe taps were among the winning products: the transparent AXOR Starck V glass tap designed in collaboration with Philippe Starck, and the Hansgrohe Metris Classic tap by Phoenix Design. Minister of State Boris Rhein of the Hessen State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts held the congratulatory speech for the award winners.

“Brands and products that are particularly successful in the market, as in the case of the AXOR Starck V glass tap and the Hansgrohe Metris Classic tap, are always the ones to be imitated or copied,” emphasises Carmen Vetter, Head of the Proprietary Rights Department at Hansgrohe SE. “It is all the more important to continue to fight against product piracy. This award strengthens our position and raises awareness of the importance of proprietary rights, even in China, and hopefully it sends a clear message. In any case, Hansgrohe will continue to be relentless in its fight against product piracy, including taking legal action – in Europe, as well as in China and the rest of the world,” adds Vetter.

At first glance, it is nearly impossible for consumers to tell the difference between the original AXOR product and the counterfeit made in China. “However,” Carmen Vetter explains, “our original product offers many more features and therefore provides consumers with far greater benefit than counterfeit product.” For example, users can experience and select the emotional aspect of water – with the vortex– or the calmer aspect of water– without the vortex. The open, movable and detachable spout is also convenient: it can be installed easily and washed in the dishwasher whenever necessary.

The original Hansgrohe Metris Classic mixer features a flow limiter, which reduces water consumption to around five litres per minute, QuickClean, the anti-limescale function, and an integrated hot water limiter. “Consumers are definitely on the losing end when they choose to buy a counterfeit product,” says Vetter. In the end, Hansgrohe SE’s resolute action against product piracy therefore protects customers, too.

For more information visit hansgrohe-group.com or axor-design.com or hansgrohe-int.com