BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION 
By Tokyo (January 24, 2014)-Bridgestone Corporation today announced that it has received a favorable ruling in its lawsuit regarding infringement of trademark rights against Chinese company Shenzhen Momentum Star Tyre Co., Ltd. (Momentum Star Tyre) and its affiliate Hangzhou Hangyou Rubber Products Co., Ltd. (Hangyou Rubber Products).
Momentum Star Tyre and Hangyou Rubber Products had been manufacturing and selling tires adorning a "BESTTONE" logo that was similar to the "BRIDGESTONE" logo, a registered trademark of Bridgestone Corporation. In October 2010, the Company filed a lawsuit against the companies in the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court claiming that these activities constituted trademark infringement. After Bridgestone's claim was upheld in that court, the companies filed an appeal in the Guangdong Higher People's Court. In December 2013, Bridgestone's claim again was upheld and the original court decision was confirmed. Accordingly, the court ordered the companies to cease the production and sales of BESTTONE tires and pay damages.
The Bridgestone Group is committed to protecting its intellectual property, and will continue to take aggressive action in the courts and before regulators to dispute any unauthorized use or infringement of Bridgestone trademarks or other intellectual property, and will oppose any attempt to sell goods under names confusingly similar to Bridgestone trademarks. These actions are necessary to protect consumers and to maintain and enhance Bridgestone's brand value.
About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
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