WILMINGTON, Del.Bridgestone Americas is suing TRW Automotive Inc. and its EnTire Solutions L.L.C. subsidiary for alleged infringement of Bridgestone's tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) patents.
Filed Sept. 6 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, the complaint accuses TRW and EnTire Solutions of making and selling TPMS devices and sensors that violate the 787, 885 and 476 patents held by Bridgestone.
Defendants' infringement has caused irreparable injury to Bridgestone and will continue to cause irreparable injury until defendants are enjoined from further infringement from this court, the complaint said.
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and TRW Automotive U.S. L.L.C. are also named as defendants in the case.
Besides a permanent injunction against the sale of the TRW and EnTire Solutions TPMS devices, Bridgestone seeks compensatory damages; a compulsory ongoing licensing fee; an accounting for any infringing sales not presented at trial, with an award of additional damages; and attorneys' fees and court costs.
A TRW spokesman said his company never comments on ongoing litigation.
TRW and Michelin North America Inc. founded EnTire Solutions in 2003 as a 50-50 joint venture to develop and manufacture TPMS units. TRW acquired Michelin's stake in the joint venture in January 2009.
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