Yokohama settles suit with South China Tire

Fullerton, California -- Yokohama Tire Corp. said it has settled a patent infringement suit with South China Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd. concerning South China's Wanli S-1099 passenger tyre but said terms are confidential.

Yokohama initially sued South China Tire and Zisser Tire Wholesale, the product's exclusive US distributor, in 2004, claiming the Wanli S-1099 infringed upon Yokohama's trademarks and patents because of its similarity in appearance to Yokohama's AVS Sport tyre.

Zisser and Yokohama settled in September 2004, with Zisser agreeing to stop selling the product and paying Yokohama $100,000.

"We are very satisfied with our settlement with South China and we will continue to aggressively protect our patents and trademarks," said James MacMaster, Yokohama's executive vice president, business division.

South China Tire could not be reached for comment. In a statement issued in September 2004, the Guangzhou City, China-based company had denied Yokohama's charges and said the lawsuit was without merit.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)