TROY, MI — ArvinMeritor and ZF have publicly expressed their ‘delight’ with the latest ruling from the International Trade Commission (ITC) on the importation of the FreedomLine transmissions, manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen in Germany. The FreedomLine automated mechanical transmission became available in North America in 2001.
“We were confident that the re-design did not infringe on the 279 patent, and the ruling has certainly verified our position in serving customers,” said Wolfgang Vogel, executive vice president, commercial vehicle transmissions, and a member of the management board of ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
“Our commitment to technology advancements like FreedomLine remain ever diligent, and we will continue to pursue a freedom of technology choice on our customers’ behalf,” added Tom Gosnell, president of ArvinMeritor Commercial Vehicle Systems. “The transmission remains a strong viable powertrain option for our customers who desire a choice in gearboxes.”
In Jan. 2005, a U.S. ITC judge ruled in favor of Cleveland, OH-based Eaton Corp. in the unfair import proceeding it brought against ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Arvin Meritor, Inc. and ZFMeritor LLC (ZFM) in 2003.
The judge determined automated truck transmissions manufactured and marketed by ZF, ArvinMeritor and ZFM infringe an Eaton transmission patent and are therefore being unlawfully imported into the U.S. As a result, the judge has recommended the ITC issue both an order prohibiting future importation of ZF FreedomLine transmission systems and components into the U.S. and a cease-and-desist order halting the sale of these products in the United States.
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