Saint-Gobain Wins $10.9 Million Verdict Against Xinyi

Alexandria, Va. – A jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio returned a unanimous verdict awarding $10.9 million in damages on November 10 to Saint-Gobain Autover in its patent infringement lawsuit against Chinese windshield manufacturer Xinyi Automobile Glass Company, Ltd. (Civil Action No. 06-cv-2781). In addition, the jury found that Xinyi's infringement of Saint-Gobain's patent windshield technology was willful.

The lawsuit was originally filed in November 2006, based on Xinyi's sales of certain aftermarket windshields. The patents-in-suit are U.S. Patent No. 5,095,669 and RE 37,395, relating to a windshield molding design and installation method that simplifies the windshield installation process.

Saint-Gobain is one of the leading glass manufacturers in the world, providing automotive glass in automobiles, as well as flat glass for construction applications. Approximately half of all European automobiles are equipped with Saint-Gobain's glass.

Assisting clients for 40 years, Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P. is one of the largest intellectual property specialty firms in the United States. The firm provides a full range of intellectual property services, including litigation matters in all courts, as well as trademark, copyright and patent interference services.