In any technology sector, there are bound to be disputes over ownership of ideas and who was first to market with them. The automation technology space is no exception.
Earlier today, an official announcement from Rockwell Automation and Beckhoff Automation announced that: “Rockwell Automation has granted Beckhoff Automation the license to more than a dozen U.S. and European linear motor patents. The license agreement between the two companies settled a patent infringement litigation amicably.”
The agreement allows Beckhoff to market and sell its XTS System worldwide with the exception of the United States. Under the terms of the license agreement, Beckhoff will delay market entry of the system until June 30, 2019.
According to the release, Marco Wishart, vice president and general manager of Rockwell Automation’s motion control business said: “We are pleased to resolve this matter and have our patent rights respected. This agreement allows our customers to integrate linear motor independent cart technology into a wide range of machines.”
Hans Beckhoff, owner and managing director of Beckhoff Automation, stated: “We found a good solution for our customers outside the U.S., who may integrate the Beckhoff XTS linear motor system as one of the most advanced motion technologies into their machines.”
This agreement permits Beckhoff customers outside the United States who purchase and integrate an XTS linear motor system into their machines to “sell those integrated systems through their respective sales channels into the United States subject to the license terms.”
Any questions about how this agreement applies to current and future use of the linear motor technologies involved are to be directed to:
Beckhoff Automation GmbH
Eiserstraße 5
33415 Verl, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 5246/963-0
Fax: +49 (0) 5246/963-198
e-mail: [email protected]
www.beckhoff.com
