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.
Italy border guards grab Chinese HVAC units with bootleg refrigerant
June 6, 2007
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