Patent Court Proceedings Yield Success for Miller UK Limited

The UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of buckets and couplers for hydraulic excavators, Miller UK Limited, brought proceedings to prevent a patent infringement by Hill Engineering Ltd on the quick coupler, one of its most original and sought-after products.

The quick coupler was created by family-firm Miller in 1989 in response to an industry need for a safer, more time efficient way to change excavator buckets and attachments without leaving the cab. Miller’s customer base includes JCB, Volvo and Komatsu amongst many others.

An international best seller, the product has spawned many copy-cat products due to its reliability, efficiency and overall popularity – including a version by Irish firm Hill Engineering Ltd.

During a recent court hearing relating to a patent infringement by Hill Engineering’s product – the Hill Maglock Automatic Locking Quick Hitch – a settlement was reached and the following is part of a statement agreed by both parties:

“Hill has agreed to enter into a royalty-bearing licence relating to the patent (and other Miller rights covering related technology) and has withdrawn its allegation that the patent is invalid. Hill has also agreed to pay a substantial proportion of Miller’s legal costs.”

Keith Miller, Managing Director of Miller UK Limited, said: “The quick coupler was developed after extensive experience of working in the field showed there had to be an easier, faster and safer way of changing buckets.

“Since that first design was launched, we have invested a great deal of time and energy to continuously update and improve the product in order to meet our customers’ needs as closely as possible and therefore we are extremely proud of and protective of what we have achieved.

“Although it’s disappointing that legal action had to be taken, the fact we were able to settle out of court and avoid a full trial, simplifying the process for both ourselves and Hill Engineering is very positive.

“However we hope this sends a very clear message that we will do what is necessary to protect our products both now and in the future.”