ITC to Investigate Chinese Crane Manufacturer Over Patent Infringement

The U.S. International Trade Commission announced on July 11 that it has started an investigation in a complaint filed by Manitowoc Cranes, LLC. Manitowoc alleges that Chinese machinery manufacturer Sany “imported and sold crawler cranes and components that infringe its patents, adding that trade secrets violations had also occurred.” Finnegan partner Smith R. Brittingham, IV provided commentary. “It’s really speculation at this stage as to who is in the wrong, but one thing you can see from the complaint, which is not always present, are trade secret allegations. That sometimes adds an emotional component to a case and makes it harder to settle,” he said.