Manitowoc Receives Favorable Initial Determination in Sany Patent Infringement Law Suit

The United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) has issued an initial determination in a patent infringement and trade secrets case filed by Manitowoc against Sany Heavy Industries and Sany America. On July 14, 2014, ITC Administrative Law Judge David P. Shaw issued a notice of the Initial Determination (“ID”) (dated July 11, 2014) in Certain Crawler Cranes and Components Thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-887).

The investigation is based on a June 12, 2013 Complaint filed by Complainant Manitowoc Cranes, LLC (“Manitowoc”) alleging violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act by Respondents Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. and Sany America, Inc. in the importation into the U.S. and sale of certain crawler cranes and components that infringe one or more claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,546,928 (the ‘928 patent) and 7,967,158, and that were designed and manufactured using Manitowoc Cranes’ misappropriated trade secrets.

According to the notice, the Judge determined that Sany violated Section 337. Specifically, the Judge determined that Manitowoc demonstrated that “certain accused products infringe claims of the ‘928 patent,” and that Sany engaged in the “misappropriation of certain asserted trade secrets” owned by Manitowoc.

Manitowoc is pleased by the Judge’s favorable ruling and looks forward to receiving the Commission’s final order later this year. The notice issued by the Judge released only limited information. The company will provide additional information once the public version of the Final Initial Determination is issued.

About The Manitowoc Company, Inc.

Founded in 1902, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. is a multi-industry, capital goods manufacturer with over 100 manufacturing, distribution, and service facilities in 24 countries. The company is recognized globally as one of the premier innovators and providers of crawler cranes, tower cranes, and mobile cranes for the heavy construction industry, which are complemented by a slate of industry-leading product support services. In addition, Manitowoc is one of the world's leading innovators and manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment, which includes 24 market-leading brands of hot- and cold-focused equipment. In 2013, Manitowoc’s revenues totaled $4.0 billion, with more than half of these revenues generated outside of the United States.