Michelin Files Suits Against Double Coin Dealers

Michelin has informed the media that it is filing suits against tyre dealers selling the Double Coin brand as it follows up previous notifications regarding the sale of tyres with tread patterns resembling those on Michelin truck tyres. The French tyremaker alerted more than 5,000 dealers of the risks involved in marketing these look-alike tyres sourced from Asia back in December 2005, stating that while the treads may look the same on both tyres, the look-alikes may not deliver the same grip or longevity as an authentic Michelin tyre.

With tyres bearing unauthorised copies of patented Michelin tread patterns still available on a number of markets 18 months later, the company has chosen to pursue legal action against dealers of these products in all countries where Michelin sales teams have identified the products.

In the UK proceedings have been initiated against Kirkby Tyres Ltd for patent infringement of the Michelin XDY tread design. At the time of writing Kirkby Tyres’ media representative was not available to comment on Michelin’s action against the exclusive UK distributor of Double Coin tyres.

The US dealer facing legal action is California based China Manufacturers Alliance, who Michelin claim infringed their patents by distributing the Dyna-Trac RS-330 and the Double Coin RT606. According to a lawsuit filed on behalf of the tyremaker, Michelin is seeking attorney’s fees, any profits gained through the sale of the patent infringing tyres and an award three times the amount of the damages.