The hunt for knock-offs is now also going to take place at the IAA 2007 car show. Trade-shows for electronics & toys have long been the best place for companies to protect their intellectual property. At the shows lawyers are scanning the halls for copied products and confiscating them.

Now BMW and DaimlerChrysler are supposedly considering steps against Chinese car makers who will exhibit cars at the IAA 2007 that have some striking similarities to their cars. The new Chinese SUV CEO for instance has a very similar rear to the BMW X5 (see photo, taken at the Shanghai Auto Show 2007 by Drive Line).

The German Chinese car importer is quoted on Forbes, saying that the legal actions from BMW may actually help sell the CEO SUV.