Court Enforces Ruling in Dispute over Design Patent Infringement between Bridgestone, Chinese Tire Manufacturer
Tokyo (February 27, 2008) - Bridgestone Corporation announced today that court enforcement proceedings have been successfully completed based on a court ruling in favor of the Company against Chaoyang Longmarch Tyre Co., Ltd. ("Longmarch Tyre"), a major tire manufacturer in China, regarding design patent infringement.
In December 2006, Bridgestone instituted legal action against Longmarch Tyre concerning design patent infringement in certain truck and bus radial tires that Longmarch Tyre manufactured and sold. Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court presided over the proceedings, and upon deliberation, ruled in favor of Bridgestone in March 2007. Longmarch Tyre was ordered to stop manufacturing and selling the infringing products, and to pay damages to Bridgestone. As Longmarch Tyre did not file an appeal, the ruling became effective. However, Longmarch Tyre failed to fulfil the obligations within the time allotted by the court. Bridgestone therefore requested that the court enforce the ruling in June 2007. The enforce bureau of People's Court in Longcheng District, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province was entrusted to carry out this responsibility and concluded enforcement proceedings in December 2007.
As a result, Longmarch Tyre stopped manufacturing and selling the infringing products, and paid damages to Bridgestone. Bridgestone is extremely grateful to the bureau for its prompt and effective action.
Bridgestone protects the uniquely superior technology and designs acquired by research and development as intellectual property, which it actively utilizes on a worldwide basis. In order for customers to use Bridgestone products with peace of mind, the company will continue to implement intellectual property management, and to rigorously pursue measures, including legal action and other appropriate responses, against all acts of imitation.
In December 2006, Bridgestone instituted legal action against Longmarch Tyre concerning design patent infringement in certain truck and bus radial tires that Longmarch Tyre manufactured and sold. Beijing No. 2 Intermediate People's Court presided over the proceedings, and upon deliberation, ruled in favor of Bridgestone in March 2007. Longmarch Tyre was ordered to stop manufacturing and selling the infringing products, and to pay damages to Bridgestone. As Longmarch Tyre did not file an appeal, the ruling became effective. However, Longmarch Tyre failed to fulfil the obligations within the time allotted by the court. Bridgestone therefore requested that the court enforce the ruling in June 2007. The enforce bureau of People's Court in Longcheng District, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province was entrusted to carry out this responsibility and concluded enforcement proceedings in December 2007.
As a result, Longmarch Tyre stopped manufacturing and selling the infringing products, and paid damages to Bridgestone. Bridgestone is extremely grateful to the bureau for its prompt and effective action.
Bridgestone protects the uniquely superior technology and designs acquired by research and development as intellectual property, which it actively utilizes on a worldwide basis. In order for customers to use Bridgestone products with peace of mind, the company will continue to implement intellectual property management, and to rigorously pursue measures, including legal action and other appropriate responses, against all acts of imitation.