Brunswick Corporation, the world's leading recreational boat manufacturer through its various activities (marine engines, recreational boats, services for boaters, parts, equipment and consumables), has filed a complaint in the United States against its competitor Volvo Penta, relating to intellectual property theft.

The complaint was filed on February 1 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Richmond), and concerns Volvo Penta's Assisted Docking System, a docking solution that facilitates harbor maneuvers, which allegedly infringes five patents filed in this field by Mercury Marine, a Brunswick brand.

Brunswick's lawsuit seeks financial compensation and royalties for each solution sold by Volvo Penta.

This complaint is filed in the United States against Volvo Penta of the Americas, and could presage similar proceedings elsewhere in the world.

Decoding - The situation is difficult for Volvo Penta since the fire at its engine block foundry located in Skövde, and the bankruptcy of its German subcontractor in this field (Hallberg Guss). The Swedish engine manufacturer is currently losing major clients (yards) in its traditional inboard engine markets in the monohull sailing sector, but also and above all in the crucial sector of inboard diesel engines for motorboats, its core business (read article). This complaint will not help the company's operating account.... It should be noted that such a case between two European shipyards specializing in luxury open boats, was concluded a few years ago, by a negotiation at the end of which the shipyard at fault had committed to pay royalties to its competitor, initiator of the hijacked design, on each of its boats sold.