NEWS & CASES

Patent Case for Parts Automatic Loading System

The parts automatic loading system is a system that automatically loads the processed parts on the cart. Company H, the patent holder, requested for preliminary injunction against Company N, claiming that the automatic loading system used by Company N infringed Company H's patent. On behalf of Company N, AIP claimed that Company H's request for preliminary injunction was unfair and requested a trial for invalidation of Company H's patent. AIP won in favor of Company N in the request for preliminary injunction through on-site inspection by proving that the parts automatic loading system used by Company N was installed and used before Company H filed the patent application, and also invalidated Company H's patent on the ground that the parts automatic loading system found at the on-site inspection had substantially the same structure as Company H’s patent. On-site inspection played a great role in this case because there are many differences in the operation method of an automated system depending on the type of parts, it is difficult to invalidate with only the publicly known literature.