Company news·02 Oct 2026
Company news
20 Oct 2026
Mehler Vario System GmbH Prevails in Design Rights Dispute with NFM AS on Appeal
Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf Confirms: Mehler Protection’s Grid Carrier Does Not Infringe NFM AS’s Design Rights
FULDA, GERMANY (20 October 2026)
Mehler Vario System GmbH, the legal entity operating under the Mehler Protection brand within Mehler Systems, has been successful in the appeal: The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf upheld the dismissal of the claims against the allegations made by NFM AS and confirmed that the Mehler Protection’s Grid Carrier does not infringe the asserted design rights. The Court did not allow a further appeal.
The proceedings focused on the extent to which design protection can be claimed for modular load-bearing systems in a market shaped by technical requirements and industry-wide standards. Taking into account the high density of prior designs in this product segment and the limited design freedom available to manufacturers, the Court concluded that the Mehler Protection’s Grid Carrier creates a different overall impression and therefore does not infringe the asserted design rights.
"This decision provides important clarity for us, our customers and partners and the market. It confirms that the allegations of design right infringement raised against our Grid Carrier were unfounded and that industry-standard interfaces and functional standards must remain available to all market participants," said Dr. Christian Rödel, Head of Development New Products at Mehler Protection | Body Armour.
Mehler Protection welcomes the decision as a confirmation of its legal position and as a contribution to fair competition in a market characterized by technical standards, interoperability and functional requirements.
Press Release
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