Bridgestone scores consecutive enforcement victories

Japanese tire maker Bridgestone announced the results of its two trademark litigations. In one case, it settled with Shandong Santai Rubber Company. In the other, it prevailed over a Hangzhou tire company.

Bridgestone owns namesake trademarks in several categories relating to its products. For using the label Rockstone on its tire products, the Shandong company was sued by Bridgestone on the ground of similarity to its registered mark. Mediated by the Shanghai High People's Court, the two parties settled in December 2008.

Hangzhou's Bridgesteel Rubber Company labeled its products of conveyor belts with Bridgesteel. Bridgestone then filed the case on the same ground with the above case in September 2007. In the end of 2008, the court eventually enjoined the Hangzhou company from using both the mark and company name Bridgesteel and destroyed modules for making the labels.