2016.04.15

Mitsubishi Shindoh Settles Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Conbraco and Elkhart

Mitsubishi Shindoh Co., Ltd. ("Mitsubishi Shindoh") is pleased to report that it has settled with Conbraco Industries Inc. ("Conbraco") and Elkhart Products, Inc. ("Elkhart") a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina by and among Mitsubishi Shindoh, Conbraco and Elkhart ("Lawsuit") in which Mitsubishi Shindoh asserted Conbraco and Elkhart infringed two of its U.S. patents covering EcoBrass copper alloy products. The Lawsuit was dismissed on [date, month], 2016 based on the settlement with Conbraco and Elkhart.

In the Lawsuit, Mitsubishi Shindoh asserted that Conbraco, a manufacturer of valves and fittings having a principal place of business in North Carolina and Elkhart, a manufacturer of valves and fittings having a principal place of business in Indiana, infringed Mitsubishi Shindoh's two U.S. patents through their importation, sale and offering for sale in the U.S. of 54 or more different valve and fitting products under brands including "Apollo", "Apollo Xpress" and "BlueHawk." In the Lawsuit, Mitsubishi Shindoh sought from the federal court, among other things, an award of its monetary damages and a permanent injunction against Conbraco and Elkhart enjoining them from infringing Mitsubishi Shindoh's patents.

All terms of the settlement are confidential.

EcoBrass is highly valued by valve manufacturers worldwide as a lead-free brass alloy which at the same time features excellent machinability as well as high strength and corrosion resistance. Mitsubishi Shindoh's patents covering EcoBrass, including its two U.S. patents asserted in the Lawsuit, are important assets to Mitsubishi Shindoh, and it will act firmly against infringements or threats of infringements of its patents, including by way of legal measures.

Mitsubishi Shindoh and Conbraco have issued the following joint press release today in connection with the Lawsuit.

Press Release