Lincoln Electric Sues Distributors for Patent and Trademark Infringement
January 09 2009 - 2:33PM
PR Newswire (US)
CLEVELAND, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Lincoln Electric
Co. and Lincoln Global, Inc., two subsidiaries of Lincoln Electric
Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:LECO), have filed a lawsuit against Lisco,
Inc., a Los Angeles-based company doing business as Rhino Welders
and Phoenix Welding Supply Co., for patent, trademark, copyright
and trade dress infringement and unfair competition. The lawsuit
was filed today in the United States District Court for the Central
District of California. Rhino Welders recently imported and started
selling a family of Chinese- manufactured MIG welders through its
distributor, Phoenix Welding Supply. The machines are blatant
copies of Lincoln's highly successful POWER MIG(R) line of welders
and infringe a wide array of Lincoln's intellectual property
rights. In commenting on the legal action taken by Lincoln, George
Blankenship, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln
Global, said, "Lincoln invests significant financial resources in
the development of its world-leading technology, including the
intellectual property rights to protect that technology. Our
Company takes its intellectual property rights very seriously and
is committed to pursuing whatever action necessary against any
domestic or international entity, to protect those rights." In the
complaint, Lincoln charges Rhino Welders and Phoenix Welding Supply
with infringing Lincoln's patents, Lincoln's federally-registered
trademarks, Lincoln's copyrighted materials, and Lincoln's
distinctive POWER MIG(R) trade dress, as well as engaging in unfair
business practices. The Company is seeking an injunction against
Rhino Welders and Phoenix Welding Supply, and compensation for
damages that have occurred as a result of their past and on-going
infringement. Lincoln Electric and Lincoln Global are wholly owned
subsidiaries of Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. Lincoln Electric is
the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc
welding products, robotic arc-welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel
cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing
and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio,
Lincoln has 38 manufacturing locations, including operations,
manufacturing alliances and joint ventures in 20 countries and a
worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more
than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric,
its products and services, visit the Company's Web site at
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/. The Company's expectations and
beliefs concerning the future contained in this news release are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect
management's current expectations and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such
statements due to a variety of factors that could adversely affect
the Company's operating results. The factors include, but are not
limited to: general economic and market conditions; the
effectiveness of operating initiatives; currency exchange and
interest rates; adverse outcome of pending or potential litigation;
possible acquisitions; market risks and price fluctuations related
to the purchase of commodities and energy; global regulatory
complexity; and the possible effects of international terrorism and
hostilities on the Company or its customers, suppliers and the
economy in general. For additional discussion, see "Item 1A. Risk
Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. DATASOURCE:
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. CONTACT: Media: Roy L. Morrow,
+1-216-383-4893, , Investors: Joseph P. Kelley, +1-216-383-8346, ,
both of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. Web site:
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/
Copyright
Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024
Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024