KATHMANDU: A Dutch court has ordered Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to destroy files seized from BYD’s offices in the Netherlands over an alleged design dispute involving the BYD Ti 7 SUV. JLR faces a penalty of up to USD 553,850 if it fails to comply with the order within the specified deadline.
The District Court of The Hague issued the ruling on November 11, overturning an earlier order that allowed JLR to seize documents from BYD’s offices in August.
JLR had accused BYD of copying the exterior design of the Land Rover Defender in its Ti 7 SUV, sold in China as the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7. It also suspected BYD of reverse-engineering the Defender.
The seized files included technical, financial and product development information. However, the court found that JLR did not need these documents to support its claims or calculate potential damages. It also noted that BYD had not yet sold the Ti 7 in the European Union.
Under the ruling, JLR must arrange for the files to be destroyed within 24 hours of receiving the formal order and provide BYD with independent confirmation. The court also rejected JLR’s demand for USD 553,850 in penalties against BYD.
The ruling does not settle the underlying design dispute, as JLR has initiated separate legal proceedings over alleged design infringement and copyright violations.
Meanwhile, BYD is preparing to launch the seven-seat Ti 7 in the UK at USD 63,660. The SUV combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors, producing 402hp. Its 35.6 kWh LFP Blade Battery offers a claimed WLTP electric range of 119 km.
