Mammoet investigating Huisman over possible IP issue: UPDATED

International heavy lift and transport specialist Mammoet is investigating what it said is a possible violation of its intellectual property rights in relation to a crane design.

Huisman Ringer Crane, left, and Mammoet SK350 crane

The investigation concerns the recently announced Huisman Ringer Cranes, including a 3,000 tonne capacity model.

In January 2022, Danish crane rental company BMS ordered a 3,000 tonne capacity ring crane from Huisman. Click here to read more.

Next steps

If any violations are apparent, Mammoet said it will take steps to actively enforce its legal rights in any and all applicable jurisdictions.

The company said this innovation is one of the foundations of Mammoet’s business and therefore any violation of its rights, including its intellectual property, will be pursued via legal enforcement.

Huisman responds

Huisman issued a statement in response to the Mammoet announcement as follows:

“We were surprised to read in the media Mammoet’s allegation regarding an alleged breach of intellectual property. We have not received any details of infringement claims.

Huisman is the inventor of the Modular Ringer Crane. Since the delivery of the first one of its kind 25 years ago we have built up a multi-decade track record of designing and constructing this type of crane.

Huisman has very high standards when it comes to intellectual property in the development of our technically advanced products. This is also the case with the design of the 3,000 tonne Ringer Crane for our client BMS Heavy Cranes, an entrant in the growing heavy lift market.

As we do with each contract, prior to the signing with BMS Heavy Cranes, we conducted a thorough patent investigation to ensure that there were no infringements. Therefore, we will await the outcome of Mammoet’s investigation with confidence.”

UPDATE, 28 APRIL 2022
A Dutch court ruled on 28 April 2022 that Huisman had not infringed Mammoet intellectual property. Paul van Gelder, Mammoet CEO, issued the following statement:

In February 2022 Mammoet alleged that Huisman was possibly infringing on its intellectual property rights with Huisman’s 3,000 tonne capacity ringer crane contract with BMS. The suggestion of IP infringement is unsubstantiated and therefore unlawful against Huisman. The Provisions Judge of the District Court of Midden Nederland (the Netherlands), in a judgment of 28 April 2022, ordered Mammoet to share this rectification.