FULLERTON, CA -- Yokohama Tire Corp. said yesterday it has resolved the last phase of its patent and trade dress infringement suit related to the Wanli S-1099 tires. The Wanli S-1099 infringed upon Yokohama’s trademarks and patents due to its similarity in appearance to Yokohama’s AVS Sport tire.

Yokohama’s suit was against three parties: South China Tire Co., the manufacturer; Zisser Tire Corp., the exclusive U.S. distributor; and a local Los Angeles retailer. During the litigation, the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, first entered a permanent injunction in favor of Yokohama, after the retailer admitted infringement of Yokohama’s patent and trade dress and was enjoined from selling the Wanli S-1099 tires and similar tires that would utilize Yokohama’s patents and trade dress. Next, the court next entered a permanent injunction against Zisser Tire, which similarly enjoined and also agreed to pay damages to Yokohama. These permanent injunctions completely removed the infringing tires from the U.S. marketplace. On Nov. 22, Yokohama settled its claims against South China Tire, which manufactured the infringing tires. The terms of the settlement are confidential.

“We are very satisfied with the entry of the permanent injunctions by the court and with our settlement with South China and we will continue to aggressively protect our patents and trademarks,” said James MacMaster, Yokohama’s executive vice president, business division. “The appearance of the Wanli S-1099 tire in the U.S. caused confusion in the market, among dealers and consumers, which had a detrimental effect on Yokohama Tire. We have taken that tire completely off the market.”

Yokohama Tire Corp. is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Co., a global producer and distributor of premium tires.

For more information about Yokohama, visit: www.yokohamatire.com.

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