April 13, 2017—3M Co. and 3M Innovative Properties Co. recently filed a lawsuit in the Central District of California against K2 Concepts and China-based Phoenix Automotive Refinishing, alleging multiple counts of patent, trademark, and copyright infringement.
The suit alleges that certain automotive painting spray gun cup products, made by Phoenix and sold in the U.S. by K2, infringe upon seven 3M patents directed to 3M’s PPS technology that enables the efficient mixing and spraying of coatings for automotive collision repair and other applications. The suit also alleges that Phoenix’s marketing materials for those same spray gun cup products infringe on 3M’s registered copyright and trademarks.
3M noted in a press release that it is committed to protecting its investments in research and development.
