LOS ANGELES (Sept. 22)—Yokohama Tire Corp. and St. Louis-based distributor Zisser Tire Co. have settled a patent infringement case involving the Wanli S-1099 high-performance tire made by South China Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd.
In the settlement approved by a Los Angeles federal court, Zisser Tire agreed not to market or sell the Wanli S-1099, and will pay Yokohama $100,000. Yokohama called that amount damages but Zisser Tire insisted is just the sum "equal to the nuisance value of the suit."
Zisser Tire said it stopped selling the Wanli S-1099 months ago, for reasons unrelated to the Yokohama suit.
Yokohama claims South China Tire deliberately copied the design, look and tread pattern of the Yokohama AVS Sport tire in the Wanli S-1099, and has brought a patent infringement suit against the company.
South China Tire denies Yokohama´s charges, and in a news release said it will defend its reputation.