#Spinning

2025-05-27

Uster Technologies wins another infringement lawsuit

In a ‘victory for innovation in China’ Uster Technologies has secured a decisive judgment in a patent infringement lawsuit against a competitor. The final ruling by the Supreme People’s Court of PR China confirms that the competitor’s actions in copying the patented yarn feeder of the Uster Tester 6 constitute unlawful infringement.

Uster Tester 6 © 2025 Uster Technologies

Protecting innovation with patents

Uster Technologies has established itself as a pioneer in the field of textile quality control, by diligently investing in research and development since the 1940s. The company now holds over 250 active patents – a testament to its commitment to being the innovation leader. Each patent provides Uster with a temporary, exclusive right to exploit the relevant invention, ensuring that the considerable resources the company invests in research and development are protected and that competitors are barred from illegal imitation.

Victory for justice

A Chinese competitor of Uster launched its yarn evenness tester incorporating a feeder device copied from Uster Tester 6. Uster initiated legal action, leading to a ruling by the First Instance Court that the competitor is liable for patent infringement. After an appeal, the Supreme People’s Court of PR China reaffirmed that decision as final. As a result, the competitor must immediately cease its infringing activities and compensate Uster.

Confidence in the Chinese market

“We are glad to experience once again that China has a well-functioning and fair intellectual-property protection system that treats right holders of different origins equally,” says Dr. Paul Pliska, Intellectual-Property Manager at Uster. “This judgment reinforces our commitment to protecting our innovation power. Not only our company, but also our customers, deserve this.”

This is not Uster’s first intellectual-property victory in China. Last year, an earlier lawsuit against the same company, concerning the infringement of the Uster Tester 6 console design, ended in Uster’s favor. Notably, that design – honored with the 2016 Red Dot Award for Industrial Design – underscores Uster’s recognized innovation.

With the Chinese government's efforts to foster a favorable business environment, Uster emphasizes its dedication to elevating the quality and technological progress of China's textile industry. The company will persist in channeling resources into innovation at its Suzhou Technology Center, catering for both global and local customers.

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Uster, Switzerland, 15th May 2025 – Fiber quality measurement in spinning preparation is crucial for optimizing waste and meeting yarn quality specifications. The brand-new Uster AFIS 6 – the next-generation laboratory instrument from Uster Technologies – uniquely tests man-made fiber properties in addition to cotton. It provides critical data to optimize fiber process control for cotton, man-made fibers, and blended yarns.

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Monitor, adjust, perfect

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Engineering depth and diversity for composites

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Award-winning research for sustainable carbon fibre cycles

Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres is possible through targeted electrochemical surface modification, which makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann was awarded the MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University for her master's thesis on this development. The award ceremony took place on 12 November 2025 in Aachen.

Eastman introduces Naia™ Lyte at Première Vision Paris, marking a major breakthrough in fiber tenacity for cellulose acetate filament yarn performance

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