VMI, Safe-Run in patent-infringement dispute

Epe, The Netherlands / Suzhou, China – VMI is taking legal steps against alleged patent-infringement activity by Chinese competitor Safe-Run, the Dutch tire machinery maker has announced. Safe-Run, though, has filed a counter-lawsuit to defend its position.

“Despite repeated warnings, Safe-Run did not stop the infringement on several of VMI’s patents,” said a company press release issued 12 Sept.

According to president & CEO Harm Voortman, Epe-based VMI will continue to take strong legal action against violations of its intellectual property.

“We have faith in the law and we are confident that justice will be done,” Voortman commented in the release.

However, Safe-Run Group said it had filed a lawsuit “to confirm the non-infringement” of VMI patents, adding that the Dutch group had not offered legally admissible evidence to support its claims.

In a statement, Safe-Run said “VMI cannot claim infringement on its patent rights by Safe-Run Group without any factual or legal proof.”

The Chinese group added that it was and had always been focused on developing its own innovative technologies, and had been granted many national-level patents.

Safe-Run concluded that the patent dispute with VMI was an opportunity ”to further focus on the development strategies of its intellectual property, and to strengthen awareness of intellectual property protection.”

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