A court in Beijing has just ordered 3 Chinese companies to pay a fine of US$ 98,700 to Lacoste because they had violated copyrights of this French famous fashion firm.

On July 2006, La Chemise Lacoste appealed against 3 Chinese companies including Guangzhou Taie Dress Co. Ltd in Guangzhou, Nianniangao Garments Co. Ltd and Beijing Urban-Rural Trade Center Co. Ltd both in Beijing with the claim that the three companies had illegally used its famous crocodile logo on their products.

These companies have changes in crocodile logo. For example Taie registered the "golden crocodile" brand-name, yet this registered logo is changed, which makes customers think of crocodile logo of La Chemise Lacoste.

Thus, the court commanded Taie to stop producing and selling crocodile-printed clothes and pay a fine of US$ 64,900. Nianniangao Garments has to pay US$ 26,000 and Beijing Urban-Rural Trade Center's fine is US$ 7,780.

La Chemise Lacoste based in Paris is a famous fashion firm. It is established in 1933. It now expands both scale and reputation through out the world and registers intellectual property in countries where operation is official. And Lacoste's products with the image of a crocodile are so popular all over the world.