At Fespa the company announced that it would be taking fresh measures to assert its rights.

Contra Vision explained that exhibitors at trade shows are deemed to be ‘selling’ under patent law, and Fespa’s terms and conditions include a requirement that exhibitors do not infringe others’ rights.

"We have already seen 24 exhibitors at Fespa infringing our patents," stated chairman and managing director Roland Hill.

"We are saying ‘enough is enough’. These companies are preventing our proper reward for the innovation."

Neil Felton, Fespa managing director of exhibitions and events, said: "I need to speak to Contra Vision and Roland needs to highlight to me which exhibitors he thinks are infringing his patents. We need to discuss this further."

Hill added that although the company had two ‘very good’ Chinese licencees who abided by international rules, the vast majority of infringing products were emanating from China.

Contra Vision said its methods of recourse included pursuing the buyers of unlicensed products, including distributors, printers, and end clients such as advertising agencies and brand owners.