In the landscape of China's home appliance industry, Gree Electric Appliances and Xiaomi Corporation are two shining stars. However, recently, the two companies have once again become the focus of public opinion due to patent infringement issues, sparking a contest of law and market.

I. Patent Infringement Lawsuit: Gree's Rights Protection Action

On July 9th, Gree Electric Appliances announced through its cultural media center's public account "Gree Wen Chuan" that it had won the patent infringement lawsuit related to Xiaomi Corporation. According to the legal documents issued by the Supreme People's Court, Gree demanded that Xiaomi stop manufacturing and selling the suspected infringing Mijia Xiaomi electric fans and pay a compensation of 1.85 million yuan.

Previously, on December 22, 2022, the Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court made a first-instance judgment on the case of Xiaomi's official flagship store selling Mijia Xiaomi electric fans BPTS01DM infringing on Gree's patent. It was determined that the Xiaomi fan had infringed on Gree's patent rights and was ordered to compensate for economic losses and rights protection costs.

II. Xiaomi's Response and Gree's Further Action

In response to Gree's announcement, Xiaomi stated on July 10th that it had not received any lawsuits related to environmental protection appliances. However, Gree did not stop there and further clarified through Weibo that the entrusted party of the infringing product was "Xiaomi Communications Technology Co., Ltd.", and the manufacturer was "Dream Maker (Zhejiang) Technology Co., Ltd.", emphasizing that Xiaomi Technology Co., Ltd. holds shares in Dream Maker Technology through its holding company "Tianjin Jinxing Venture Investment Co., Ltd."

III. Both Parties Insist on Their Own Opinions: Dual Game of Market and Law

Although Gree has achieved a preliminary victory in the legal field, Xiaomi denies this and reveals that Tianjin Jinxing Venture Investment Co., Ltd. is the investment entity of the ecological chain company, and the manufacturing, supply, and production of the disputed fan are all ecological chain companies. Xiaomi and Mijia are only responsible for investment empowerment and helping them with sales promotion, not for their daily management and operation. Both parties insist on their own opinions, and there is no conclusion so far. However, the suspected infringing fan model has been taken off the shelf in the Xiaomi Mall, but on Jingdong Mall and Taobao Mall, there are still third-party stores selling or providing original accessories.

IV. Lei Jun and Dong Mingzhu: Personal Grievances and Corporate Competition

The duel between Gree Electric Appliances and Xiaomi Corporation is not only a market competition between enterprises but also has personal grievances between the two corporate leaders, Lei Jun and Dong Mingzhu. From the "billion yuan bet" in 2013 to Dong Mingzhu's public criticism of Xiaomi, the interactions between the two entrepreneurs are full of gunpowder.

V. Expansion of Business Map and Diversification Attempts

Both Gree and Xiaomi are actively expanding their business maps. Gree has launched mobile phone products, while Xiaomi has entered the air conditioning market. Both companies are seeking new growth points in independent research and development and diversification attempts.

VI. Conclusion: Respect for Intellectual Property Rights and Promotion of Healthy Industry Development

No matter what the final result is, this patent infringement lawsuit has sounded the alarm for the home appliance industry: respecting intellectual property rights is the cornerstone of sustainable enterprise development. At the same time, it also reflects the intensity of competition in China's home appliance industry and the continuous efforts of enterprises in innovation and rights protection.

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