A German court has rendered a verdict in a patent suit filed by Arnold & Richter Cine Technik (ARRI), against Film TechnikLicht, the importer and distributor for Filmgear lighting equipment.
The court found that Filmgear lighting products are in violation of one or more of ARRI’s patents and ordered an immediate withdrawal of all subject lighting products from the German market by the importer and distributor, Film TechnikLicht. Furthermore, the court has prohibited Film TechnikLicht from offering, selling, importing, using and possessing the related Filmgear lighting equipment. Non-compliance with this court order was stipulated to carry a penalty of € 250,000 or six months of detention.
In announcing this verdict, John Gresch, VP Lighting at ARRI Inc. said, “ARRI has a policy to vigorously defend its patents and this is a significant and gratifying outcome. It reaffirms our confidence that intellectual property rights do ultimately prevail in our markets.”