NASHVILLE — Michelin North America Inc. has settled a design patent infringement case with Tire Recappers of Nashville Inc. concerning Michelin and BFGoodrich passenger and light truck tire tread designs.
Both companies agreed not to disclose the terms of the settlement, Michelin said.
Michelin filed its complaint against Tire Recappers July 10 before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
In that suit, Michelin claimed that Tire Recappers offered tires for sale that infringed on Michelin's D'266 and D'235 patents.
The D'266 patent, which Michelin has held since October 2006, is the tread design for various BFGoodrich tires, including the BFGoodrich T/A KM2, Michelin said in the complaint.
The D'235 patent, the tire maker said, is used for the Michelin LTX M/S 2 and other Michelin tires.
Michelin sought a permanent injunction against Tire Recappers, as well as compensatory damages and reimbursement of all profits Tire Recappers made on the allegedly infringing tread designs.
"Michelin monitors the marketplace for infringements of our intellectual property at every performance level and price point," said Scott Clark, chief operating officer for Michelin North America and head of its passenger tire unit.
Thomas Ford Sr., CEO of Tire Recappers of Nashville, could not be reached for comment.