Bridgestone wins design infringement suit against Triangle Tyre

Tokyo – A Chinese appeals court has ruled in favour of Bridgestone in a case regarding infringement of tire tread design rights against Chinese tire manufacturer Triangle Tyre Co., Bridgestone has announced

In a statement on 13 May, the Japanese tire-maker said High People's Court in Jilin province upheld the original ruling in January 2016 at an appeal trial.

Triangle Tyre, said Bridgestone, had been “manufacturing and selling tires using a tread pattern for studless tires for which Bridgestone holds exclusive design rights.”

In October 2013, Bridgestone filed a lawsuit with the Intermediate People's Court in Changchun, China, claiming that the activities of Triangle Tyre constituted a design rights infringement.

In July 2015, Bridgestone's claim was upheld, and the court ordered Triangle Tyre to cease manufacture and sale of tires that use the tread pattern, and pay damages to the company.

Bridgestone reiterated in the statement that it remained “committed to protecting its intellectual property and will continue to deal with any unauthorised use or infringement of its patents or trademarks.”