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See the link below for Shimano’s side of the story. SRAM confirmed that the ruling does not cover any SRAM cassettes that are sold outside of Germany.
"In designing our cassette, SRAM relied on ShimanoÂ’s own statements to patent offices in the U.S. and other countries that clearly referenced acceptable design parameters. It became apparent through this German litigation process, that Shimano has not been consistent in what they say to patent authorities around the world," said Brian Benzer at SRAM Corporation in Chicago.
"SRAM believes that the courtÂ’s judgment was in error and will be filing an immediate appeal."
SRAM is in the process of filing a Stay of Execution in the Munich Court of Appeals. If granted, SRAM said it will be able resume selling the cassettes, although this was denied by Shimano yesterday.
In the short term, Benzer said Shimano will need to complete certain "administrative issues", at which point SRAM will stop shipping the cassettes into Germany.
"SRAM has in the past, and will continue to try and resolve this issue amicably with Shimano," said Benzer.
"Both SRAM and Shimano invest significant resources in product development. This investment benefits our respective companies and the industry as a whole. SRAM is committed to supporting intellectual property, both of our own and our competitors."
This isn’t the first time SRAM and Shimano have come to blows. The European commission received an anti-dumping complaint against Shimano internal hubs in July 2000. It had been lodged by SRAM. This was upheld in October 2001. SRAM welcomed the duty on but didn’t feel it was punitive enough.
