Judge rules in transmission patent case

Jan. 10, 2005
Eaton Corp, Cleveland OH, has been informed that a US International Trade Commission (ITC) judge has issued a decision in Eaton's favor in an unfair import proceeding brought by Eaton against ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF), Arvin Meritor Inc, and ZFMeritor LLC (ZFM), according to Eaton information.

Eaton Corp, Cleveland OH, has been informed that a US International Trade Commission (ITC) judge has issued a decision in Eaton's favor in an unfair import proceeding brought by Eaton against ZF Friedrichshafen AG (ZF), Arvin Meritor Inc, and ZFMeritor LLC (ZFM), according to Eaton information.

The judge determined that automated truck transmissions manufactured and marketed by ZF, ArvinMeritor, and ZFM infringe an Eaton transmission patent and are therefore being unlawfully imported into the United States.

As a result, the judge has recommended that the ITC issue both an order prohibiting future importation of ZF FreedomLine transmission systems and components into the United States and a cease-and-desist order halting the sale of these products in the United States, according to Eaton.

Eaton filed the complaint with the ITC in December 2003 claiming that ZF, ArvinMeritor and ZFM were infringing Eaton automated transmission patents through importation of ZF automated transmissions and components.