Bosch: ‘Patent legal action is far from over’

Bosch, in an ongoing patent dispute with SawStop over its Reaxx job-site table saw, says it safety technology does not violate any competitor’s intellectual property rights.

Last week, an administrative law judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission issued an initial ruling that Bosch’s new Reaxx safety saw infringes on SawStop patents. Bosch issued the following response on Sept. 14:

“At this time legal proceedings are still under way. The International Trade Commission will review the initial determination provided by the Administrative Law Judge on Sept. 9, 2016, as well as additional arguments from the parties, before it makes any decision in the matter. The commission’s decision is not expected until early January 2017. Contrary to any other implication, the patent legal proceedings are ongoing and not final.

“The Bosch Reaxx job-site table saw is based on patented technology developed by the Power Tool Institute and the engineering team at Robert Bosch Tool Corp. in Mount Prospect, Ill. We believe that advanced Reaxx safety technology does not violate any competitor’s intellectual property rights.

“It is disappointing that a competitor is continuing its campaign to stop the sale of patented Reaxx technology to consumers. The patents asserted against Reaxx are based on applications filed more than 15 years ago; Bosch does not believe they apply to Reaxx technology. In addition, Bosch believes that if the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had complete information it would not have issued certain patents in the first place.

“Bosch has vigorously defended, and will continue to defend, its ability to make Reaxx table saws available in the United States. In addition, Bosch will continue to pursue its own claim of patent infringement against the competitor filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

“The ongoing litigation has no effect on distributors’ ability to buy or sell Bosch Reaxx table saws. Reaxx cartridges, accessories and service parts are available. The Bosch commitment to provide safe products to users is critical today and in the future.”