Equipment
International Trade Commission Opens Parallel Investigation Into Doosan Bobcat
South Korea-based Doosan faces an investigation into its own construction equipment imports after accusing Caterpillar of infringing on its patents
Bobcat's compact loader, introduced at ConExpo 2026, uses several of the technologies that Caterpillar and Bobcat are engaged in a patent fight over.
On June 26, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted to institute an investigation of machinery and components from Doosan Bobcat, looking into whether its imports of construction equipment violate section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
Dallas, Texas-based Caterpillar, Inc. filed its initial complaint with the ITC in May, claiming that Bobcat had violated its intellectual property and hurt its business with its imports of skid steers, compact excavators and other construction equipment. However, this followed similar actions in December 2025 when Bobcat filed separate charges with both the ITC and a Texas-based federal district court alleging that it was Caterpillar that was infringing on its U.S. patents.
The ITC said in its press release announcing the investigation that equipment from all of Bobcat's operations would be going under the federal microscope. Bobcat's parent company Doosan Group is based in Seoul, South Korea, but its subsidiary Bobcat is based in West Fargo, N.D. The manufacturer was owned by Ingersoll-Rand before it was acquired by Doosan in 2007.
The escalating intellectual property fight between the two companies involves more than 44 separate patents filed over eight decades by both. The technologies disputed include joystick-operated remote machine controls, geofencing safety software, hydraulic control systems, low-consumption fuel management systems and even grade control for compact earthmoving equipment.
"The ITC will address Caterpillar’s request 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," Caterpillar said in a statement June 26.
Bobcat said it remains undeterred by the ITC investigation and alleges Caterpillar's actions in filing it are a distraction from its own allegations against the manufacturer.
"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," Bobcat said in a statement.
The escalating legal fight now involves separate lawsuits and ITC complaints from both companies. The ITC is investigating both companies' unfair import complaints and the commission investigation process involves a hearing before an ITC administrative law judge who will make an initial determination on a violation. That determination is then subject to review by the full commission. A hearing on Bobcat’s complaint against Caterpillar is scheduled for August 10-14, with a target completion date of May 7, 2027, according to the ITC. No hearing has yet been set in Caterpillar’s complaint and the investigation just announced regarding it.
Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new smart AI search tool.
Ask ENR →
