French Judge Backs Oakley Infringement Suits

Oakley Inc. said Thursday that a French court has ruled that two competitors have violated the sunglass and goggle maker’s patent rights in European markets.

Oakley said in one case, the Court of Commerce in Paris ruled that certain models of Bausch & Lomb’s Killer Loop sunglasses infringe on two design patents covering Oakley’s sunglasses.

The court, in a separate judgment, ruled that Lombardie Booster’s Infrared and Morpho sunglasses were found to infringe on three design patents that cover Oakley’s sunglasses.

Oakley said in both cases the court ordered the destruction of infringing models of sunglasses and ordered that sales of the products cease. The suits were brought by Oakley and its unit, Oakley Europe. “These rulings underscore our commitment to, and success in, vigorously defending our intellectual property rights,” Oakley Chairman and President Jim Jannard said.