Schneider Electric France: Domain Name Brand Protection Practices and Initiatives

As a global leader in energy management and automation, Schneider Electric has established a three-dimensional system for domain name brand protection that combines legal, technical and business strategies.

I. Domain Name Brand Protection for Schneider Electric, France

1. Legal Litigation and Cross-Class Protection of Well-Known Trademarks

Schneider Electric's strategy of combating domain name infringement through judicial channels has been remarkably effective. In 2024, the Jiangsu Provincial High People's Court upheld the 40 million yuan compensation judgment against Schneider Elevator Company, finding that its use of the following domain names constituted trademark infringement and unfair competition. The court specifically noted that the "Schneider" trademark has become a well-known trademark due to long-term use and promotion. Its core element, "schneider," forms a fixed correspondence with the Chinese character "施奈德." Therefore, even though elevators and electrical switches belong to different product categories, it can still be protected across categories. This ruling demonstrates Schneider Electric's strategy of expanding its domain name rights through well-known trademark recognition.

In September of the same year, the Supreme People's Court awarded 106 million yuan in compensation to Zhenjiang Schneider Company, emphasizing the company's subjective malice in deliberately attaching itself to the "Schneider" trademark and domain names (such as "zj-schneider.com") and, for the first time, clarifying that "infringement as a profession" can be subject to punitive damages. In this case, the court not only ordered the cessation of use of the infringing domain name but also retroactively used sales profits from 2017 to 2022 as the basis for compensation, highlighting Schneider Electric's commitment to pursuing accountability for long-term infringement in domain name protection.

2. Global Trademark Portfolio and Chinese Localization

Schneider Electric has registered the "Schneider Electric" trademark in 153 countries through the Madrid System and established a triad of protection in China: "Schneider graphic trademark - Chinese 'Schneider' - domain name." Between 2024 and 2025, it continued to apply for new trademarks in China, including defensive registrations and expansions into emerging sectors. In addition to its primary domain name "schneider-electric.cn," it also holds Chinese domain names such as "Schneider Electric.cn." Its official website clearly states that "both domain names and URLs belong to Schneider Electric (China) Co., Ltd."

During the litigation, the court repeatedly emphasized the correspondence between the Chinese trademark "Schneider" and "Schneider." For example, Schneider Elevator's use of the "Schneider Elevator" logo on its elevator products was deemed a dilution of the well-known "Schneider" trademark because neither its corporate name nor its domain name was properly protected. This combined protection of "Chinese and English trademarks + domain names" effectively curbs localized infringements.

II. Introduction to Schneider Electric (France) and its official website domain name

Schneider Electric is a French multinational corporation founded in 1836. It is one of the world's largest energy management companies and optimization solution providers. Its main products include circuit breakers, sensors, and controllers, providing comprehensive solutions for energy facilities, industries, data centers, networks, and buildings worldwide. It holds a leading position in the energy, infrastructure, industrial process control, building automation, data centers, and networks markets.

Since its founding, Schneider has been a pioneer in French industry. In the late 19th century, it was one of the three largest arms manufacturers in Europe. In 2008, Schneider Electric's global sales reached €18.3 billion. Schneider Electric's purpose is to enable everyone to make the best use of their energy and resources, building bridges to progress and sustainable development for all.

Schneider Electric is a global electrical company headquartered in France and a global expert in energy management and automation. The Group generated sales of €36 billion in fiscal year 2023 and employs 150,000 people in over 100 countries. Founded in 1836 by the Schneider brothers, it is headquartered in Rueil, France.

Schneider Electric's purpose is to enable everyone to maximize the use of energy and resources, driving human progress and sustainable development. It is also known as Life Is On.

Schneider Electric's mission is to be its customers' digital partner for efficient and sustainable development.

Schneider Electric applies electrification, automation, and digital technologies to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, smart buildings, and digital homes. [36] Relying on its rich industry expertise, Schneider Electric provides AI-enabled end-to-end full-lifecycle industrial IoT solutions, covering interconnected products, automation, software and services, and adopts a cross-platform industrial data base and "digital twin" to help customers achieve profitable growth. Schneider Electric is committed to promoting digital transformation and serving the home, building, data center, infrastructure and industrial markets. By integrating the world's leading process and energy management technologies, interconnected products, controls, software and services from terminal to cloud, throughout the entire business life cycle, achieving integrated enterprise-level management. Schneider Electric is a global company with local advantages, committed to promoting an open technology and partner ecosystem, and actively practicing the shared values of meaningfulness, inclusiveness and empowerment. Company name: Schneider Electric France. Official domain name: se.com. Domain name created: June 6, 1997. Country: France. Company headquarters city: Rueil-Malmaison, France. Founded: 1836.

Founder: Eugene Schneider.