Toronto firm accuses VW Group supplier of patent infringement

TORONTO—A Toronto-based automotive firm has filed a lawsuit in Germany claiming a European counterpart stole its patent-protected automatic belt tensioner design.

According to Litens Automotive Group, it filed the legal action against Dayco Europe S.r.l., a division of Mark IV Industries, to enforce the firm’s patents on automatic belt tensioners.

“These tensioners are used in a variety of Volkswagen and Audi engines, including 1.4-, 1.9- and 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines from 2002 to 2009, (and) are protected by a global intellectual property portfolio,” Alex Porat, a lawyer representing Litens, said in a statement.

Toronto’s Litens said it has patents in Europe, China and the United States protecting the tensioners.

As part of the lawsuit, Litens requested an injunction which would prevent infringement of its patents.

“Litens will use all legal means at its disposal to stop the manufacture, distribution and sale of infringing products,” Litens’ engineering manager Rob Laing said.