“The fact that our Rybička knife is worth enough to someone to create a knockoff may seem like a compliment in a way, but in reality, it’s parasitizing on the work and efforts of others,” said Karel Ježek, director and owner of Mikov.
Mikov has previously taken legal action against the copying of Rybička and secured a final judgment that not only banned the sale of counterfeits but also imposed a significant financial penalty on the counterfeiters.
“We naturally reach out to companies that manufacture and sell unauthorized copies of Rybička and point out to them that they are acting unlawfully and unethically. And if we cannot reach an agreement with them, we naturally proceed further through legal channels. After all, the law is violated by both those who produce the copies and those who sell them. A final judgment against the plagiarists can serve as a strong warning to everyone,” continued Karel Ježek.
The “Rybička” has been manufactured in Mikulášovice for more than a century and is one of the iconic designs created in the Czech Republic, representing the country at numerous international industrial design exhibitions. Poor-quality counterfeits thus damage not only the manufacturer’s reputation but also that of the entire nation.
Mikov is a company based in the heart of Bohemian Switzerland. It is the largest Czech manufacturer of cutlery, office equipment, and industrial fasteners and nailers. The Mikov group of companies also includes Narex Bystřice, the largest Czech producer of hand tools.