Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Tire
    • Airless Tires
    • Non-Tire
    • More News
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Opinion
    • Online Exclusive
    • Special Reports
    • Automotive
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Sustainability
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • PFAS
    • Best Places to Work
    • War in Ukraine
    • International Tire Exhibition & Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold
  • Rubber Division IEC
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • PFAS Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Government - Legal
February 18, 2021 03:30 PM

VMI, Safe-Run differ over latest ruling in patent case

European Rubber Journal Report
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More

    LONDON—VMI Holland B.V. claims to have won a "significant lawsuit" in its ongoing intellectual property dispute with Safe-Run Intelligent Equipment Shares Ltd. Co., VMI said in a press release issued Feb. 12.

    In April, 2019, Epe, Netherlands-based VMI filed a lawsuit claiming that Safe-Run had abused the IP and the legal system in China at the Suzhou Intermediate People's Court in Jiangsu Province. In its latest release, VMI said the court ruled that "Safe-Run knowingly filed and obtained patents on technology which was already developed by VMI and others, and then maliciously used these patents in the legal fight against VMI."

    According to information supplied by VMI, the Chinese court ruling—issued on Dec. 22, 2020, referenced (2019) Su 05 Zhichu No.251—included a compensation award of $155 million to the Dutch machinery maker.

    "This verdict reinforces our faith in the Chinese legal system," VMI President and CEO Harm Voortman said in the release. "We await the outcome of the other ongoing lawsuits with great confidence."

    In a statement issued in response to VMI's latest release, Safe-Run said there had been more than 30 IP infringement lawsuits between the parties in China since 2016.

    "Most of the lawsuits are currently undergoing second instance proceedings," Safe-Run said, adding that it had obtained "favorable first instance judgments or rulings in most of the lawsuits."

    The Chinese company added the "significant lawsuit" cited by VMI referred to the first instance judgment of a malicious IP lawsuit dispute between the parties.

    Safe-Run said it had lodged an appeal against this first instance judgment so that the court decision had not become effective and could not be used to determine malicious intent.

    VMI, it alleged, "intentionally choose one favorable non-effective judgment among a number of pending lawsuits between the parties to conduct propaganda, which has seriously damaged Safe-Run's commercial reputation."

    Related Article
    Chinese board upholds VMI's 'major invention' patent, invalidates some
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Michelin upgrading French aircraft tire factory
    2
    Students explore chemistry with R.D. Abbott, Akron Polymer Cluster
    3
    Our View: Goodyear Forward to determine firm's future, Kramer's legacy
    4
    Datwyler, Hycco join forces for hydrogen fuel cell solutions
    5
    Meet the world's top 5 tire makers
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Tire
      • Airless Tires
      • Non-Tire
      • More News
        • Automotive
        • Executive Action
        • Government/Legal
        • Sustainability
        • Blogs
          • Products
          • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Opinion
      • Online Exclusive
      • Special Reports
        • PFAS
        • Best Places to Work
        • War in Ukraine
        • International Tire Exhibition & Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • PFAS Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION