March 27, 2013—Lift manufacturers Vehicle Service Group (VSG) and Stertil-Koni USA Inc. have agreed to license patented heavy-duty vehicle lift technology to one other.
The mutual licensing agreements resolve patent infringement lawsuits the companies filed against each other last year.
Under the agreements, VSG acknowledges Stertil-Koni’s U.S. patent 8,191,865 “Device and System for Lifting a Motor Vehicle”—which covers the ECOLIFT system, including the combination of the scissor mechanics, carriage, cover and other parts—as it applies to Stertil-Koni’s ECOLIFT line of heavy-duty inground scissor lifts.
VSG has agreed to pay a licensing fee for the use of this patented technology on its Rotary Lift EFX series of heavy-duty inground scissor lifts.
In turn, Stertil-Koni acknowledges VSG’s U.S. Patent 6,983,196 “Electronically Controlled Vehicle Lift and Vehicle Service System,” which covers different elements that relate to computerized lift controls, lift data display and networking lifts to provide lift operators with status feedback.
Stertil-Koni has agreed to pay a licensing fee to use this patented technology on its mobile column lift.
“By resolving these issues, heavy-duty lift industry leaders VSG and Stertil-Koni jointly ensure that all of our customers have access to cutting-edge lift technology,” said Kirk Dawson, vice president of heavy-duty for VSG. “This agreement will ultimately increase the number of lift options containing advanced features that enhance safety and productivity, which is in all of our customers’ best interests.”
