A federal appeals court ruled in favor of USSC Group Inc. in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by American Seating Co. In the case of American Seating Company v. USSC Group Inc. (Case No. 07-1110, -1135), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a jury’s finding that USSC’s VPRo II wheelchair restraint and passenger seats do not infringe a patent held by American Seating.

The federal appeals court also affirmed a lower court’s ruling that USSC is not liable for a portion of the jury’s award relative to VPRo I because American Seating could not prove its patent infringement allegations. The federal appellate ruling ends the long-standing dispute brought by American Seating against USSC. Originally, American Seating claimed that multiple USSC products infringed American Seating’s patents including USSC’s wheelchair restraints, the VPRo I and VPRo II. In January 2006, a jury ruled against American Seating and found that American Seating had failed to prove its case that the VPRo II infringed. The appellate court’s ruling resolves American Seating’s remaining claims regarding the VPRo I.

USSC stated that it is pleased with the ruling. Christian Hammarskjold, USSC’s president, stated that, “USSC has always challenged the transportation industry with our unconventional designs and unparalleled quality. We are committed to innovation. Our customers expect nothing less.”