Buford, Ga. (Nov 1, 2017) – Lund Motion Products, Inc., a subsidiary of Lund International, a leading automotive aftermarket accessories supplier, filed two separate lawsuits this week against T-Max (Hangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Rocky Ridge, Inc. The suits allege infringement of three patents relating to Lund’s innovative and industry-leading POWERSTEP™ electric-powered articulating running board, as well as alleging copyright infringement.
T-Max has been selling powered articulating running boards to several United States distributors and installers that infringe the patented [mimic the] features and functionality of the Lund POWERSTEPTM electric-powered running board. Lund previously filed suit against Rev Wheel, LLC, who had been a T-Max customer of these products. The Rev Wheel suit ended via settlement, with Rev Wheel agreeing not to sell the accused T-Max running boards in the future and acknowledging the validity and enforceability of the asserted Lund POWERSTEP™ articulating running board patents. The suits filed this week against T-Max and Rocky Ridge represent Lund’s continuing efforts to vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights pertaining to Lund’s articulating running board technology.
The Lund POWERSTEP™ automatic, electric-powered running board instantly extends when the vehicle door is opened, and then retracts when the door closes providing improved ground clearance and aerodynamics while retaining the vehicle’s OE appearance. Its elegant design, all-weather performance and legendary reliability set the industry standard. Lund is asking the United States federal courts to enjoin the sale of the infringing T-Max electric-powered running board and award money damages due to Lund’s lost sales and attorneys fees.
Mitch Fogle, Lund’s Chief Executive Officer, commented that: “Lund respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects the same in the marketplace. Lund will continue to fiercely protect its rights against all infringers that seek to profit on Lund’s patents, trademarks and copyrights.”
ABOUT LUND INTERNATIONAL – Lund International Holding Company is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded automotive aftermarket accessories for a full assortment of passenger cars and light trucks, as well as the heavy truck category. Its products include Ventvisors®, hood shields, Powersteps®, floor mats, fender flares, tonneau covers, storage boxes, nerf bars and running boards, among others. Lund offers the industry’s broadest range of functional body and appearance products that provide customers with ways to customize and personalize their vehicles under the brand names of Lund, AVS, Belmor, AMP Research, Rampage, Bushwacker, TonnoPro, Roll N Lock, and Stampede. For more information about Lund, please visit www.LundInternational.com.
