China: Pfizer Wins Patent Ruling
December 29 , 2006

A Chinese court has upheld the validity of the drug maker Pfizer’s patent for Viagra, ordering two companies to stop sales of generic versions of the erectile dysfunction treatment and pay compensation for trademark infringements, a court official said.

The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court ordered the Beijing Health New Concept Pharmacy Company to stop sales of blue pills similar to Viagra, according to a court official. The court also told the Lianhuan Pharmaceutical Company to stop making the pills and to pay Pfizer 300,000 yuan ($38,400) in damages. Pfizer sued Lianhuan and Beijing Health New Concept in September 2005.

In June, the same court sided with Pfizer in overturning a 2004 decision by China’s patent review board in ruling against local drug makers keen to sell generic Viagra in China.

Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/29/business/worldbusiness/29fobriefs-PFIZERWINSPA_BRF.html