Textron’s Bell unit sues rival European firm over patent

PROVIDENCE – Textron Inc.’s Bell Helicopter has sued bigger rival Eurocopter in an international battle over patented technology for landing gear and Bell’s newest machine for emergency-service providers and corporate clients, Bloomberg News reported.
Bell is challenging a U.S. patent owned by Eurocopter, a unit of European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co., according to a complaint filed last week in federal court in Forth Worth, Texas. Eurocopter has sued Bell in Canada and executed a seizure order based on a French patent at the Paris Air Show on June 16, Bell said.
The 429 helicopter may begin selling in the U.S. shortly, the Fort Worth-based company said.
“Bell Helicopter believes that Eurocopter’s allegations have no merit” and the 429’s landing gear doesn’t infringe any valid patent claim, according to the complaint. Bell also wants “to recover damages for Eurocopter’s interference with Bell Helicopter’s property rights.” &#8226