The Lincoln Electric Co. and Lincoln Global Inc., two subsidiaries of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc., have filed a lawsuit against Lisco Inc., a Los Angeles-based company doing business as Rhino Welders and Phoenix Welding Supply Co., for patent, trademark, copyright and trade dress infringement and unfair competition.
According to a press release by Lincoln Electric, the lawsuit was filed on January 9, 2009 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Rhino Welders recently imported and started selling a family of Chinese- manufactured MIG welders through its distributor, Phoenix Welding Supply. The machines are blatant copies of Lincoln's highly successful POWER MIG line of welders and infringe a wide array of Lincoln's Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).
"Lincoln invests significant financial resources in the development of its world-leading technology, including the Intellectual Property Rights to protect that technology,” Lincoln Global President and CEO George Blankenship said.
“Our company takes it’s Intellectual Property Rights very seriously and is committed to pursuing whatever action necessary against any domestic or international entity, to protect those rights," he added.
In the complaint, Lincoln charges Rhino Welders and Phoenix Welding Supply with infringing Lincoln's patents, Lincoln's federally-registered trademarks, Lincoln's copyrighted materials, and Lincoln's distinctive POWER MIG trade dress, as well as engaging in unfair business practices.
The company is seeking an injunction against Rhino Welders and Phoenix Welding Supply, and compensation for damages that have occurred as a result of their past and on-going infringement.
Lincoln Electric and Lincoln Global are wholly owned subsidiaries of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.
From:AGIPNEWS
