FULLERTON, Calif. (May 28, 2008) — Yokohama Tire Corp. and its parent firm, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., have settled a patent infringement suit against Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd.
Yokohama said Chinese tire maker Hangzhou will destroy the manufacturing molds with the tire tread design in question, as well as its remaining Westlake H280 light truck tires. Hangzhou also will pay Yokohama an undisclosed cash sum, according to Yokohama.
Yokohama sued Hangzhou in 2006, claiming that the Westlake H280 tires essentially were identical to Yokohama's patented designs for the Geolandar A/T+II all-terrain light truck and sport-utility vehicle tires.