16.04.2015

Manitowoc wins against Sany

Manitowoc has won its patent infringement case against Sany, blocking some of its cranes from the U.S. market.

In its Final Determination, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that at least one Sany crane product infringed one of Manitowoc’s patents and that six trade secrets of Manitowoc were both protectable as trade secrets and misappropriated.

As a result of these findings, the ITC has issued an exclusion order that prohibits the importation of Sany cranes (a) that infringe th patent or (b) that use any of the six trade secrets, for a period of 10 years. Although the import ban can be overturned by the government on public policy grounds.

The ITC also issued a cease and desist order that prohibits Sany America from importing, selling, marketing, advertising, or distributing cranes that were manufactured using any of the six trade secrets found to be misappropriated.

The infringement concerns Manitowoc’s variable position counterweight, while the theft of trade secrets refers to former employee, John Lanning who was hired by Sany in 2010 to head the Sany crawler crane design team, and according to Manitowoc, Sany recruited Lanning specifically for his knowledge of Manitowoc’s trade secrets relating to its VPC technology, and that he has improperly shared those trade secrets and other confidential information with Sany.
See Sany Refutes Manitowoc claims
See Manitowoc files complaint against Sany
Please register to see all images

Manitowoc's Variable Position Counterweight

Manitowoc chief execugtive Glen Tellock said: “Innovation has always been a core value of our organisation and key to our success over the years. Our Variable Position Counterweight technology is a game changer in the industry and one example of our ongoing commitment to this endeavor. We are thrilled with the ITC’s decision, and believe today’s final determination further validates our clear technological leadership in the market place.”