JCB Receives Settlement from Asian Manufacturer Accused of Design Infringement

Sometimes imitation isn’t the sincerest form of flattery. We reported on an action by global equipment manufacturer JCB last April, when the company took action against three Far Eastern manufacturers for product copying and patent infringements at bauma (the world’s largest equipment trade show).

Now, according to JCB, the company has agreed to the terms of a settlement with one Asian backhoe loader manufacturer. Earlier this year, JCB alleged that the Asian manufacturer had copied the design of JCB’s iconic 3CX backhoe loader. JCB has received an undisclosed settlement payment, and the manufacturer has agreed to fundamentally redesign its backhoe loader. JCB’s suit alleged that the manufacturers had copied the designs of JCB’s backhoe loader and telehandler machines.

Tim Burnhope, JCB’s Group Managing director for Product Development and Commercial Operations, said: “This is the fourth incident this year of an Asian manufacturer copying one of our machines and taking unfair advantage of 57 years of product development. JCB is determined to act promptly and decisively in relation to such activities and stamp them out.”

For information about JCB’s industry-leading equipment for the construction, agriculture, industrial and waste/recycling markets worldwide, visit www.jcb.com.