Chinese Lawyer Files Lawsuit Against Canon Company

For the second time in recent week days, a lawsuit has been filed against Canon China Co. Ltd over promotional material that implies Hong Kong and Taiwan are separate states instead of China's areas.

Today a suit was filed by attorney Lu Lei, from the Chongqing- based Hezong Law Office, who claimed information in Canon's website, canon.com.cn., is worded to mean that Hong Kong and Taiwan are states.

Canon China Co., Ltd is the copyright owner of the website. The first suit against Canon came from Tang Weijiang, 29, a Chongqing resident, who accused the Canon Hong Kong Co., Ltd of implying in a promotional CD for canon laser printers that Hong Kong and Taiwan are states.

Contained on the disc is a segment titled "100 Changes of Zhao Wei," which describes various countries the popular young Chinese actress has visited, naming China, Hong Kong and Taiwan individually.

Zhao was named best female lead at the 17th China Gold-Eagle Awards last year for her performance in the TV series "Princess Huanzhu." She became the spokeswoman for Canon laser printers last year.

Attorney Lu said that Canon Hong Kong Co., Ltd has apologized and pledged to recall and destroy all similar discs, and has described calling Hong Kong and Taiwan states in the CDs as an " editing mistake" -- an explanation he said he doesn't buy.

He said that this is not simply an accidental slip up in editing, but an intentional action seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people. The Canon company must face legal punishment, Lu said.

Lu has filed a lawsuit with the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate People's Court against the Canon China Co., Ltd.

Canon Hong Kong Co., Ltd and Canon China Co., Ltd are two companies solely-funded by the Canon company of Japan. The two companies were established in 1971 and 1997, respectively.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/