Mando hits back against Bosch in patent suit

Automobile supplier Mando has issued a response and counterclaims to a patent infringement lawsuit filed by technology company Bosch.

In September last year, WIPR reported that Bosch had filed a patent infringement suit at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Mando filed a response and counterclaims (pdf) to the suit on January 9.

In the original suit, Bosch claimed that Mando had infringed four of its patents: US numbers 5,865,213; 6,082,244; 6,846,050; and 8,591,209, which concern motor safety systems including antilock brake systems (ABS) and electronic stability control.

Bosch said it was the first company to introduce ABS, which uses a control unit to constantly evaluate the speed of all wheels, to the automobile market in 1978.

Bosch argued that Mando had infringed its patents through products such as brake parts, via Mando’s subsidiaries.

The company sought injunctive relief, damages, triple damages for wilful infringement and a jury trial.

Mando said in its response that it had not infringed the ‘213, ‘244, ‘050 and ‘209 patents.

The South-Korea company denied the claims made by Bosch and asked for a declaration that the patents were not infringed, or invalid.

However, it also claimed that Bosch had infringed two of its patents, US numbers  7,967,394, titled “Hydraulic unit of electronic control brake system”, and 8,113,596, called “Solenoid valve for brake system.”

Mando alleged that Bosch infringed the ‘394 patent through its ESP Generation 9 and ESP Plus Generation 9 products and its ‘596 patent through its ABS Generation 9, ESP Generation 9, ESP Plus Generation 9 and ESP Premium Generation 9 products.

Mando asked for damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and a trial by jury.

The automobile company also asked for costs and expenses incurred in the prosecution and defence of the action, an exceptional declaration, and any other relief deemed proper by the court.

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