Core Points - New Zealand kiwifruit brand Zespri achieved a significant legal victory in China, successfully defending the intellectual property rights of New Zealand kiwifruit growers [1] - The Wuhan Intermediate People's Court ruled in favor of Zespri in a plant variety rights infringement case, involving unauthorized production, sale, and promotion of the G3 kiwifruit variety [1] - The court found the primary defendant guilty of unauthorized cultivation and sale of approximately 260 hectares of G3 kiwifruit trees, which were sold through online channels [1] Legal Outcome - The court ordered the primary defendant to deactivate approximately 260 hectares of infringing propagation materials and to compensate Zespri a total of 5,246,200 RMB, equivalent to about 1,280,000 NZD [1] - The compensation included 5,000,000 RMB as punitive damages and 246,200 RMB for legal costs [1] - The second defendant was found to have sold the unauthorized G3 kiwifruit but was not penalized further as the primary defendant's ruling was deemed sufficient to protect the plant variety rights [1] Industry Impact - Zespri's CEO highlighted that this outcome represents a major victory for the New Zealand industry and its Chinese partners, marking an important step in protecting the rights of New Zealand growers [1] - The case underscores the strengthened protection of plant variety rights in China following the 2022 revision of the Seed Law, as well as the local authorities' support in upholding intellectual property rights [2] - Zespri plans to continue collaborating with the industry to enhance grower value while seeking constructive solutions to ongoing challenges posed by unauthorized cultivation of G3 kiwifruit [2]