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Another patent infringement suit win for Bridgestone in China
It isn’t just idle words when Bridgestone says it “takes seriously any unauthorised use or infringement of its patents, trademarks or any other intellectual property.” A fortnight after reporting that a Chinese court ruled in its favour in a patent infringement lawsuit Wanli Tire, the tyre maker shares it has received a favourable ruling from the Intermediate People’s Court in Qingdao. The ruling relates to its design patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese firm Shengtai Group and its subsidiary, Shandong Shengshi Tai Lai Rubber Technology Co., Ltd.
Court confirms sentences for misappropriation of Nokian Tyres’ business secrets
The sentencing of nine former Nokian Tyres employees for the misappropriation of business secrets has been welcomed by both the tyre maker and by Black Donuts Engineering – albeit for different reasons. Both parties now look forward to progressing beyond the case, which has been ongoing since 2011.
Bridgestone: Another patent infringement win in China
A further victory for Bridgestone Corporation in its battle against patent infringement was delivered by the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court, which ruled favourably in its lawsuit against Chinese tyre manufacturer Fangxing Rubber Co., Ltd. (Fangxing).
China: Prison sentence for distributor of fake Yokohama wheels
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has reported the “successful completion” of its latest effort to eliminate counterfeit versions of its aluminium wheels in China. The distributor of these fake products has been sentenced to prison and also fined.
SRI wins tyre puncture repair technology infringement case
After almost eight years, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. (SRI) has won the lawsuit it filed against Italian manufacturer TEK Automotive S.r.l. concerning the infringement of SRI’s patents on emergency tyre puncture repair kit technology.
US requests information from Goodyear after ruling in alleged defective tyre case
A court in the US state of Arizona ruled on 3 April that Goodyear Tire & rubber cannot continue to keep court documents relating to an alleged defect in a Goodyear tyre secret. The ruling from the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, comes in the Haeger v. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company personal injury case and follows a motion from non-profit organisation the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) to unseal court records and remove a protective order.
Court rules Hankook Tire partially responsible for worker’s cancer death
A South Korean court has ordered Hankook Tire to compensate the family of a former worker who died of lung cancer in 2015. According to an article published by The Korea Herald last Friday, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that the tyre maker was “partially responsible for the death of a factory worker surnamed Ahn who died of lung cancer caused by toxic chemicals.”
Prison sentence for Apollo/Cooper insider trading
A court in the US has sentenced a man to 20 months’ prison for insider trading related to Apollo Tyres’ attempted acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber in 2013. The US District Court in Boston gave Amit Kanodia the custodial sentence and, after finding him guilty of conspiracy and securities fraud last year, ordered him to pay a fine of US$200,000 and forfeit a further $252,500.
Court upholds Bridgestone design rights claim
A Chinese court has ruled in favour of Bridgestone Corporation in a lawsuit filed against the country’s largest privately-owned tyre maker, Triangle Tyre Co., Ltd. The case involved Triangle Tyre’s use of a tread pattern that shared more than a passing resemblance to an existing Bridgestone pattern.
Finnish lawyers: Nokian tyre consumers could claim 30% money back
Turre Legal, a Helsinki-based law firm, believes anyone who bought tyres from Nokian Tyres during the last decade could be eligible for a settlement, following the firm’s tacit admissions that it mishandled magazine tyre tests.