A small-town cleaner in Australia is facing a legal battle with a multinational company over claims of copyright infringement related to his glass-cleaning product. Felipe Drumond, 41, from Kendall in New South Wales, launched his product, RioGuard, in July after noticing a demand from customers for a solution to protect against stains. Within weeks, he received a legal notice from PCT Global, the manufacturer of the well-known EnduroShield product, alleging that Drumond's packaging and design were deceptively similar to its own.

Drumond, a father of two who has been in the window cleaning business for over a decade, was surprised by the legal action. PCT Global accused him of copying the packaging and demanded that he provide his client list. The company claims that Drumond's product has "almost identical" packaging and that the squeegee he sells is "identical" in design and color to theirs. PCT Global also stated that Drumond had previously purchased EnduroShield products using multiple email addresses, including one under the name Fabio, which they described as "deceptive conduct."

The case is set to be heard in the Federal Court on February 5. Drumond has not yet filed his defense but intends to contest the allegations. He expressed disbelief at the legal notice, which claimed that his product misled customers and infringed on PCT Global's copyright. The company argued that its EnduroShield product has developed significant consumer recognition and that Drumond gained an unfair marketing advantage by trying to pass off his product as theirs.

Sarah Hook, a trademark and patent expert from the University of Technology Sydney, noted that such legal actions are not uncommon. "This is part of protecting their IP," she said, emphasizing that companies often pursue legal action regardless of the size of the business involved. Hook explained that the concept of "passing off" involves misrepresentation, where one party tries to present their product as being associated with another, more recognized brand.

Drumond, who invested $15,000 to launch RioGuard, initially considered complying with PCT Global's demands but changed his mind when he realized the extent of their requests, including financial disclosures and client information. "That's when things clicked and I said, 'Hold on — this is not right,'" he stated. He has since hired a lawyer and is pushing back against the claims, asserting that the RioGuard trademark is clearly displayed on his packaging and that the designs are distinct.

PCT Global's legal claim includes allegations of false and misleading representations and seeks to prevent Drumond from selling his product. The company has requested the destruction of all RioGuard marketing materials and an order for damages, although no specific amount has been mentioned. Drumond has already incurred $4,000 in legal fees and anticipates further costs as he prepares for the court proceedings. He expressed frustration over the situation, stating, "I haven't made money at all in the business — in fact, I have lost money … with solicitors."

As the case approaches, Drumond remains determined to defend his business against what he views as an overreach by a larger corporation.