Brunswick Sues Volvo Penta Over Assisted Docking Patent Infringements
Two of the marine industry’s biggest players find themselves back in court, this time in a patent infringement suit filed by Brunswick Corp (BC) against Volvo Penta of the Americas, the marine unit of the Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation.
From International Boating Industry (IBI), article by Tony Esposito.
In a complaint filed 1 February 2022, the US-based marine technology company (Brunswick Corp.) claims Volvo’s Assisted Docking System infringes on five BC patents related to semi-autonomous docking and positioning systems and joystick control.
Brunswick is asking the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia for an injunction against further sale of the rival system, as well as damages that include lost profits and royalty payments.
A Volvo spokesperson told IBI that the company is aware of the lawsuit but declined to comment.
In an e-mail exchange with IBI, BC acknowledged the filing of a patent infringement suit, adding: “Since this is ongoing litigation, we will not be able to further comment.”
This is not the first time the two multinationals have sought legal relief. In December of 2020, Volvo Penta filed a patent infringement suit against Brunswick’s Mercury Marine division, just four months after the latter introduced its Bravo Four S drive — aimed at the wake and surf boat markets — claiming it infringed on Volvo’s Forward Drive and specific steering components. That case is on hold, pending the result of a tribunal’s review of the patent’s validity, according to Bloomberg Law.
