Italian fitness equipment manufacturer, Panatta, has won the first round of a legal battle against a Chinese competitor for imitation.

The Regional Court of Cologne, Germany, has accepted the request for a precautionary injunction filed by Panatta, against the Chinese company CoolBuild Fitness Equipment Co Ltd, based in Dezhou City.

The measure, which is provisional and subject to appeal, requires CoolBuild to refrain from marketing imitations of the original equipment of the Italian company and to neither reproduce nor distribute photographs related to the Freeweight Special product line.

"We’re very satisfied with this ruling: finally, the rights of those who, like us, have always invested in innovation are being recognised," said Rudy Panatta, founder and owner of the company.

"Ours is a historic brand in the sector, a pioneer in the design of bodybuilding and fitness machines, many of which are unique in the world. Defending our projects from imitations is a responsibility towards our history, our collaborators, and our customers.

“This ruling is an important signal: it protects those who create and punishes those who copy. However, we also ask for a more concrete commitment from the control bodies and trade fair organisations, which must protect those who generate value, work and development by investing significant capital."

The German judges found the arguments of the Italian company to be well-founded, concluding that during the FIBO fair in Cologne, held from April 10 to 13, 2025, CoolBuild had exhibited gym machines that were copies of Panatta's Freeweight Special line. In particular, equipment such as the Super Vertical Leg Press could have misled consumers regarding the origin of the products.

Based on these reasons, the Court has ordered CoolBuild Fitness Equipment Co. Ltd. – under penalty of a fine up to €250,000 or, alternatively, a custodial sentence to be determined for each violation – to immediately cease offering gym equipment identical to Panatta's Freeweight Special line.

Panatta had already successfully asserted its copyright and contested the unfair competition practiced against it by CoolBuild during FIBO, also regarding the Freeweight HP line, which was evidently counterfeited. Following this violation, the Chinese company had issued a formal statement, with a penalty clause, committing to immediately cease such production.

A premium Italian brand of international fame, recognised for its biomechanics and quality, Panatta is actively engaged in protecting its brand, with particular attention to safeguarding its creations in the digital context. In the last two months, thanks to the Web Brand Protection service, 9,663 listings have been removed from marketplaces and social media, mainly by Chinese companies offering counterfeits of the Panatta Free Weight line machines.