U.S. Court Rules Gaither Tool Infringed on Patent
The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ruled that Gaither Tool Co.’s U.S. Bead Bazooka line of tire bead seaters infringes on Tire Service Equipment Manufacturing Co.’s U.S. patent for its Cheetah Cannon product. The court has issued a permanent injunction that keeps Gaither from “directly or indirectly making, using, selling, offering for
Jury Rules in Michelin’s Favor in $20 Million Tread Separation Lawsuit
A jury in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., gave a unanimous verdict on Nov. 19, that there was no proof of product liability in the $20 million Arizona tread separation lawsuit against Michelin North America Inc., finding the tiremaker faultless on all claims. The lawsuit against Michelin alleged that a defective Uniroyal tire manufactured at its Admore, Okla.,
5 Ways to Stay Out of the Courtroom
When it comes to business, there are so many things that owners need to do, the last thing they need is a lawsuit related to employment matters that can be easily avoided. Here are five tips to avoid employment lawsuits: 1. Document, Document, Document. The golden rule of human resources starts with documenting policies and
NTB Ordered to Pay $22,500 in EEOC Suit
National Tire and Battery (NTB), part of TBC Corp., has been ordered to pay $22,500 to a former employee in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The suit alleges that an Arab and Muslim mechanic who worked at NTB’s Orland Park, and Matteson, Ill., locations, was harassed because of his
Ohio Man Awarded $16M in Lawsuit Against Goodyear
A jury has awarded $16 million to an Ohio man who was permanently paralyzed after a 2012 accident involving a Goodyear tire, the Herald Palladium reports. Harishkumar Patel, 57, sued Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for the first time in 2014 after a tire blew on his vehicle and caused him to get into an
Ex-Pirelli Managers Appealing Sentences in Asbestos Case
An Italian court convicted 11 former Pirelli managers in 24 asbestos-related deaths, according to Tyres & Accessories. The 24 employees, employed at the tiremaker’s Bicocca, Italy, plant in the 70s and 80s, died from tumors said to have developed due to exposure to asbestos in the facility. The managers’ lawyers intend to appeal the charges,
VMI Awaits Ruling in Infringement Case
Netherlands-based machinery manufacturer VMI Group says a ruling is expected soon in the case of a Chinese company caught making illegal replicas of VMI tire building drums. The company’s president and CEO Harm Voortman said vigorously protecting intellectual property is “an essential part” of VMI’s strategy. After receiving reports of intellectual property infringement, VMI decided
