Chinese board upholds VMI’s “major invention” patent, invalidates some

Epe, The Netherlands – In a new development in the intellectual property dispute between VMI Group and Chinese rival Safe-Run Group, the Chinese Patent Re-examination Board has upheld some patents for VMI while invalidating some other challenged ones, the Dutch tire machinery supplier announced 31 July.

VMI announced that the Chinese board had upheld its “major invention” patents related to tire building technology as part of an ongoing dispute between the Dutch group and Safe-Run Group.

“To VMI’s surprise some other challenged patents were invalidated,” said the company adding that it will appeal the decision.

“VMI,” said the company, “is convinced that a higher court will recognise the validity of these other patents, which were granted and upheld in many other important countries, and overturn that element of the Patent Re-examination Board’s decision.”

Also commenting on the recent ruling, VMI Group CEO Harm Voortman said it “strengthens our position in the legal dispute with Safe-Run reaffirms our confidence in the Chinese legal system

The two sides have been in a legal dispute over patent infringements since 2016 and the case is still ongoing.