H-share listing candidate Great Wall Automobile Holding has rejected a design-theft accusation levelled against it by Nissan Motor.
Nissan has threatened to take legal action against Great Wall, China's No1 pick-up and sports utility vehicle (SUV) maker, for allegedly stealing the front face design of its Paladin SUV model.
The intellectual property rights dispute is the latest between foreign and local players after a failed copyright lawsuit in Beijing by Japanese carmaker Toyota Motor Corp against Hangzhou-based rival Geely Group on Monday.
In response to Nissan's accusation, Great Wall said it had not received any legal complaints relating to copyright.
'Great Wall Automobile places heavy emphasis on and duly respects intellectual property rights. The company has also applied for patents for the design and technologies of its logo and products,' it said. Great Wall, which is scheduled to list in Hong Kong on December 15, said its vehicles were developed and manufactured by its own efforts, or jointly with overseas partners.
The firm said it would vigorously contend any writ filed by Nissan.
