ArvinMeritor Inc. has said it will appeal the recent decision against it in the patent infringement suit brought by Eaton Corp. over the Engine Synchro Shift transmission system.
Judge Joseph Farnan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware had rejected ArvinMeritor's defense that Eaton's patent had been obtained improperly, ruling in favor of Eaton on patent enforceability.
But Richard McLaren, lead trial counsel for ArvinMeritor, said the court's interpretation of the patent is not correct, and the company believes it proved Eaton improperly obtained the patent on technology that had actually been developed by another company.
"We are disappointed that the District Court ruled in Eaton's favor," said Vernon Baker, senior vp and general counsel, ArvinMeritor. "We have believed from the beginning Eaton's suit was meritless, and ArvinMeritor will appeal."
