Bridgestone wins lawsuit against Chinese firm

JAPANESE tyre maker Bridgestone has won a lawsuit against Chinese manufacturer, Guangming Tyre Group, regarding the infringement of its design patent rights.

Bridgestone last year filed a suit in the Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court alleging that its design patent rights were violated by Guangming. Specifically, the court found that Bridgestone’s rights were violated by the Guangming’s manufacturing and sales of tyres using Bridgestone’s patented truck and bus tyre tread patterns (these are groove patterns that are in contact with the road).

The court ruled in Bridgestone’s favour in December 2011 and ordered the Guangming to pay damages for the infringement.(PRA)