German Patent Ruling Could Impact European Auto Industry

摘要

A recent ruling from Germany's Federal Supreme Court (BGH) making it easier for German patent holders to go after companies even in countries where they lack patent protection could have a big impact on Europe's automotive industry. The ruling, published late last month, said manufacturers outside Germany could be held liable for infringing a German national patent for selling a product outside Germany if there are indications that their customer intends to bring the product into the country (BGH (Ger.), X ZR 120/15, decision 5/16/17).