Chinese court upholds Bridgestone’s R118 patent rights in Vheal case

Bridgestone Corporation reports another victory in its ongoing fight against those who infringe its patent rights and nab its intellectual property. In October, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court ruled in Bridgestone’s favour in its lawsuit against Chinese tyre maker Shandong Vheal Group Co., Ltd. (Vheal).

The legal battle began in September 2017. Bridgestone filed a lawsuit with the Beijing Intellectual Property Court, claiming that Vheal had violated its patent rights by manufacturing and selling truck tyres featuring a tread pattern covered by a Bridgestone patent. The patent rights pertained to the R118 truck tyre tread pattern, which Bridgestone developed for China and other Asian markets.

In June 2020, the Beijing Intellectual Property Court upheld Bridgestone’s claim and ordered Vheal to all cease activities that violate Bridgestone’s patent rights. It also ordered Vheal to pay Bridgestone damages of RMB 500,000 (£57,000). The Court issued its decision in October 2020.

This is the second time Bridgestone has successfully enforced its R118 tread pattern patent. Earlier this year, it won an R118 infringement suit against Chinese manufacturer Fangxing Rubber Co., Ltd. in Shanghai High People’s Court following Fangxing’s appeal of an earlier court decision.

“Bridgestone takes seriously any unauthorised use or infringement of its patents, design rights, trademarks, or any other intellectual property and will take all necessary legal steps to enforce its rights,” states the company. “With this level of vigilance, Bridgestone is prioritising the safety and reliability associated with its products and maintaining and enhancing its hard-earned brand value.”