Land Rover ordered to destroy seized BYD documents in Ti7 copyright case

The on-going legal dispute between JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) and BYD over the design of the new Ti7 SUV has taken a turn in the Chinese automaker's favour.

According to Autoweek.nl and Car News China, the District Court of the Hague has ordered JLR to destroy files seized from BYD back in August.

Lawyers for BYD successfully argued that the court-sanctioned document seizure, which included the BYD's sales data and planning documents, went too far. The Chinese automaker told the court the raid was a "fishing expedition".

The court agreed with the Chinese automaker, stating the files weren't required in determining whether or not the BYD Ti7 is a copy of the latest Land Rover Defender. They are also not required to calculate damages, as the Ti7 has yet to go on sale in Europe.

JLR has been ordered to destroy the files, and ensure they are not accessible to parties other than BYD.

The District Court's ruling on Thursday November 12, European time, reverses an earlier court order that authorised bailiffs to take documents from BYD's offices in Schiedam and Hoofddorp. This seizures reportedly took place in August.

Although the District Court agreed with BYD regarding the seized files, the copyright infringement case remains open and has yet to be decided. Automotive News reports the case could be heard later this month.

The BYD Ti7 is not yet available in Europe, but it has been unveiled in UK, although at the time of writing pricing hasn't been confirmed.

As we reported earlier this week, the boxy SUV has also given approval to go on sale in Australia, where it will be offered with the choice of two plug-in hybrid drivetrains: 200kW front-wheel drive, and 300kW all-wheel drive.

Details about the battery sizes, specifications and pricing will likely be revealed when the car is officially launched here.

BYD isn't the first Chinese manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has accused of ripping off its designs.

The company famously won a court case in China in 2019, with Jiangling Motors ordered to stop production of the Landwind X7 as it was a visual deadringer for the Range Rover Evoque. The Chinese automaker was also forced to pay JLR ¥1.5 million (A$330,000) in damages.

MORE: Explore the Land Rover Defender showroom | BYD showroom