Equipment
Caterpillar Countersues in Patent Fight With Doosan Bobcat
Filings in Texas federal court and to the International Trade Commission escalate equipment patent dispute
Caterpillar compact track loaders, such as the one seen here, are just one class of equipment that Doosan Bobcat alleges violates its intellectual property, but the U.S,-based rival is countersuing..
After being sued by Doosan Bobcat last December over patents for compact equipment, Caterpillar Inc., filed a new amended counterclaim on May 26, now alleging violations of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. It claims that South Korea-based Doosan Bobcat is violating Caterpillar patents and illegally importing equipment that does so. The equipment manufacturing giant seeks relief for its U.S.-based workers and operations, an investigation of Doosan Bobcat and a halt to importation of its equipment.
Caterpillar initially filed its counterclaim in March in a Texas federal district court, alleging Bobcat infringed on six patents covering loader attachment leveling, power distribution systems, fuel optimization systems and machine throttle technologies. Caterpillar also filed its claim with the International Trade Commission this month to prevent Doosan Bobcat from importing products it claims infringe on its patents. The Irving, Texas-based equipment manufacturer also asked the commission to institute a Section 337 investigation which itself could temporarily halt importation of Doosan Bobcat products while an investigation takes place.
"Caterpillar is seeking to address the unlawful importation and sale of products by Doosan that the company believes incorporate current Caterpillar innovations and infringe valid and enforceable Caterpillar patents that collectively represent a decade of innovation and sustained investment and that have earned our machines their reputation for reliable and efficient operation," the company said in a statement in its filing to the commission.
The Bobcat brand, which dates to 1957, was acquired by Doosan in 2007. The company responded strongly to Caterpillar's ITC claims in a statement.
"We believe Caterpillar’s countersuits are without merit and are simply an attempt to distract attention from the legal actions Bobcat has taken to protect our patented technologies, defend fair competition and safeguard the innovation and craftsmanship that have defined our company for more than 65 years," Doosan Bobcat' statement reads.
Doosan Bobcat initially accused Caterpillar of violating 14 of its patents, including ones for Sticksteer, Bobcat's remote joystick machine control; and E-fence, its geofencing safety software. Doosan Bobcat's original complaint repeatedly references another recent patent case involving Caterpillar, Wirtgen America Inc. v. Caterpillar Inc.
Wirtgen America, a maker of roadbuilding equipment, was acquired by John Deere in 2017. Shortly after, it alleged in a lawsuit that Caterpillar’s road-milling machines infringed on several of its patents related to cold-milling technology. A federal jury awarded Wirtgen $12.9 million in damages in that case, with the judge awarding additional damages.
This article was updated May 28, 2026 at 12:13 PM Eastern to include Doosan Bobcat's statement.
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