Successful technologies, such as LPKF’s increasingly in-demand patented process of laser direct structuring (LDS) for producing complex antennas, are especially endangered by product piracy. Recently LPKF sued a large international mobile phone manufacturer due to patent infringement.
 
The company had brought electronic devices into circulation which, in the view of LPKF, infringed on its LDS patent. “Our patent is still valid in all other important markets worldwide and it refers to the entire LDS process. We will therefore consistently prosecute not only manufacturers but also their customers,” says Dr. Ingo Bretthauer, CEO of LPKF Laser & Electronics AG. The mobile phone manufacturer should thus be prevented from using LDS components that were not produced by LPKF systems in some of its mobile phones and which are thus unlicensed. The legal action has been submitted to the 2nd civil chamber of the Mannheim District Court and oral proceedings are scheduled to begin in January 2014.

Patent infringements of this sort all over the world quite commonly cause disputes with customers or manufacturers. Just recently in legal action over the LDS patent in China, the appeal by LPKF Laser & Electronics AG was actually rejected by a Chinese court. The company with headquarters in Garbsen does not however accept this judgment and reserves the right to take further legal steps. LPKF has also pursued its rights in a patent infringement by a customer in Korea and reached a mutual agreement. The Asian company ordered LPKF systems and promised to produce LDS components only with machines that are from LPKF.

According to estimates of the VDMA (German Engineering Federation), product piracy causes German machine and equipment manufacturers damages totaling 7.9 million euros annually (2011). This loss of sales corresponds to just under 37,000 jobs.