Self-pierce riveting patent dispute settled

BMW Group and Henrob have reached a settlement enabling BMW Group to continue using certain self-pierce riveting equipment supplied to them by Boellhoff Systemtechnik.

BMW Group and Henrob have reached a settlement enabling BMW Group to continue using certain self-pierce riveting equipment supplied to them by Boellhoff Systemtechnik.

Henrob alleges that using this equipment in the United States, and the sale in and/or importation into the United States of BMW's products manufactured using this riveting equipment, infringe its US Patent No 5,752,305.

Under the terms of the confidential settlement, Henrob has undertaken not to seek injunctive relief to prevent the importation of certain BMW Group vehicles into the United States and other countries in exchange for a payment from BMW Group.

Henrob will continue to pursue its actions filed against BMW Group and Boellhoff Systemtechnik in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan seeking to establish liability and, with respect to BMW Group, past damages for the alleged improper use of its patent prior to signing the settlement agreement.

BMW denies any wrongdoing or liability and intends to join Boellhoff in defending Henrob's claims of infringement in the pending district court litigation.

Henrob's CEO and chairman, Keith Jones commented: "We regret having to involve BMW in this legal dispute and would have preferred to resolve the matter amicably with Boellhoff, but unfortunately we were unable to do so.

It is our policy to vigorously defend our intellectual property." * About Henrob - Henrob is a pioneer of modern day self-pierce riveting, delivering creative products and joining solutions for customers throughout the world.

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