Judge Rules for Manitowoc in Patent Infringement Case

The United States International Trade Commission issued an initial determination in a patent infringement and trade secrets case filed by Manitowoc against Sany Heavy Industries and Sany America, determining that Sany violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act. ITC Administrative Law Judge David Shaw ruled that Manitowoc demonstrated that “certain accused products infringe claims of the ‘928 patent’” and that Sany engaged in the “misappropriation of certain asserted trade secrets” owned by Manitowoc.

The investigation is based on a June 2013 complaint filed by Manitowoc Cranes alleging violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act by Sany Heavy Industry Co. and Sany America in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain crawler cranes and components that infringe one of more claims. Manitowoc alleged that the products used Manitowoc Cranes’ misappropriated trade secrets.