JLR Obtains Court Order to Seize Digital Records From BYD Offices Over Suspected Defender Copying

Jaguar Land Rover has obtained a court order to seize digital records from the Dutch offices of Chinese carmaker BYD, in an intellectual property dispute between the two companies, The Times reports.

The seizure took place during the summer at BYD's offices in Schiedam and Hoofddorp in the Netherlands. JLR reportedly suspects that BYD took apart a Land Rover Defender to study its engineering and technology while developing its new BYD Ti7, a boxy, off-road-styled SUV that has drawn comparisons with the Defender. The claim is a suspicion, and nothing in the report says it has been proven.

The Ti7 is reportedly planned for a UK launch in January at £47,995, more than £20,000 cheaper than the Defender, which would raise competition in the premium off-road SUV market.

BYD's lawyers have called the seizure a "fishing expedition", arguing that too many digital files were taken. Both companies have limited their public comments while they wait for a preliminary court ruling in The Hague.