Bombardier in court

, a Canadian company specialising in water treatment products and systems for the aviation industry, yesterday launched a patent infringement lawsuit in Federal Court against

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“We had no choice,” explained David. C. Fox, IWG President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe in settling business disputes respectfully and we have made repeated efforts to do so in this case. Unfortunately, Bombardier has failed to express any interest in a fair resolution."

“Protecting our patented aircraft circulating potable water system is key to the growth strategy for our company,” he said. “We owe it to our shareholders and employees to take a strong stand on this matter.”

Fox said the dispute with Bombardier had its beginnings in 2002, but did not crystallise until recently. “When we were first concerned that Bombardier might choose to infringe our patent, we warned them not to do so,” he said. “Later we learned they were probably going to use a system similar to ours, so we warned them again about infringing our patents.

“But after years of ignoring our warnings and settlement overtures, it was Bombardier’s decision to proceed with using a system effectively identical to ours, and their refusal to discuss any meaningful settlement, that pushed us to file the lawsuit today.”