Yamaha files lawsuit, alleges copying of product design
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. filed a lawsuit against Eco Trade Co., Ltd. and Taiseienter Co., Ltd. (both based in Oita Prefecture, Japan) on Thursday in Tokyo District Court, according to a news release from Yamaha.
The suit states that both companies’ activities, including the manufacture and sale of specific electric motorcycles, amount to the copying of Yamaha Motor’s Gear model product design and therefore fall under the category of “acts of unfair competition.” Yamaha Motor seeks compensation as well as an injunction against the manufacture and sale of these electric motorcycles. Related Yamaha motor products in the lawsuit include the Gear BX50 and Gear BX50N.
Yamaha Motor had attempted to reach an amicable resolution with both companies as to this issue through negotiation, but was compelled to file the lawsuit as it was determined that it would be difficult to resolve the issue through negotiation, the release said.
Yamaha Motor counts its intellectual property rights as core management resources and will continue to vigorously prosecute any infringement upon them that impedes an environment of fair competition, according to the release.
