28/06/2008 15:57. BMW's fight to protect its X5 SUV from being cloned and sold at retail by Chinese manufacturer Shuanghuan has taken a strong step forward. A decision in Munich regional court today banned the sale of the copycat car, vindicating BMWs long-standing belief that it has a legal right to protect the design of its vehicles from such imitation.

The model in question, which Shuanghuan calls the CEO, is clearly modelled after the BMW X5, though there are some styling differences. Despite the legal battle, however, Shuanghuan had been selling the CEO throughout Europe, including Germany. That is now done with, though an appeal of the decision is likely.

Copying others all in a days work in China

While the adage may hold that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, copying the iconic... // CarCental