Italian customs officials recently seized 21 boxes with air conditioners illegally containing R-410A refrigerant, Honeywell International officials said.
The May 23 action was part of crackdown on bootlegging by Honeywell and Italian government officials. The units were sent to Italy by a Chinese manufacturer, Honeywell said.
Honeywell, which owns a European patent for R-410A, has a licensing program to encourage HVAC equipment makers in China to purchase refrigerant through approved suppliers.
Company officials said they are aggressively protecting patents and other intellectual property.
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