Japan-headquartered Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has secured a victory in its trademark and trade dress infringement lawsuit against Brazilian retread company New Tyre Remoldadora de Pneus (New Tyre), in the São Paulo Court of Appeals. The enforcement of rights makes this a very important leading case for the recognition of the trade dress infringement of tyres by the Brazilian Courts.
Back in January 2015, Bridgestone had filed a lawsuit against New Tyre’s manufacture and sale of tyres featuring the Turanza trademark and Turanza ER300 tread pattern, which purportedly infringed Bridgestone’s trademark and trade dress rights. The São Paulo Court of Appeals later ruled in favour of Bridgestone and ordered New Tyre to cease infringing and pay damages. The quantification phase ascertaining the figures owed by New Tyre was finally concluded in March 2020.
Bridgestone manufactures a broad range of diversified rubber-based products, which include industrial rubber, chemical products and sporting goods– it takes the unauthorised use of its intellectual property very seriously, and will continue to vigorously enforce its rights against infringers, to protect and enhance the company’s goodwill and hard-earned brand value.