Panatta Wins Legal Battle Against Chinese Copycat at FIBO

Italian Fitness Brand Panatta Secures Injunction to Halt Sale of Copycat Equipment Displayed at FIBO

Date: May 1, 2025Source: Originally reported by Health Club Management

Italian fitness equipment manufacturer Panatta has successfully obtained a preliminary legal victory in Germany against Chinese competitor CoolBuild Fitness Equipment Co. Ltd, following allegations of design infringement involving its Freeweight Special product line.

The Regional Court of Cologne ruled in favor of Panatta, issuing a precautionary injunction that prohibits CoolBuild—based in Dezhou City, China—from marketing, exhibiting, or distributing any equipment or promotional materials replicating Panatta’s Freeweight Special range. 

The ruling follows the discovery of alleged imitation machines being displayed at FIBO 2025, Europe’s leading fitness trade show held in Cologne from April 10 to 13.

The court decision states that continued violations by CoolBuild may result in a fine of up to €250,000 per instance or a custodial sentence. Notably, products such as the Super Vertical Leg Press were identified as possible sources of consumer confusion regarding their origin due to their high similarity to Panatta originals.

Rudy Panatta, the company’s founder and owner, welcomed the court’s decision, stating,

“This ruling affirms the rights of companies like ours that consistently invest in innovation. As a historic and pioneering brand in the fitness and bodybuilding sector, protecting our designs is a duty—not just to our legacy, but to our employees and loyal customers.”

He also called for greater support from regulatory authorities and trade show organizers to ensure intellectual property rights are upheld and innovators protected.

This legal move builds on Panatta’s previous actions at FIBO, where it had already challenged CoolBuild’s unauthorized use of its Freeweight HP line designs. Following that episode, CoolBuild had signed a cease-and-desist declaration with a penalty clause—an agreement that appears to have been violated with the subsequent exhibition of further counterfeits.

Beyond legal recourse, Panatta has expanded its digital brand protection initiatives. Within just two months, the company—through its Web Brand Protection program—has successfully removed 9,663 online listings featuring counterfeit Panatta machines, mostly targeting unauthorized resellers on social media and e-commerce platforms. Many of these infringing listings were traced back to Chinese vendors.

This case serves as a key precedent in the ongoing battle against fitness equipment counterfeiting, underlining the importance of IP enforcement in a globalized and increasingly digitalized fitness market.

Source: www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk