Homag wins first lawsuit over infringed patent at Ligna 2025: the patent wars are on

What was inevitable in an increasingly competitive industry happened at Ligna 2025: the first lawsuit won for infringement of a European patent in a dispute between woodworking machinery manufacturers. Homag obtained a preliminary injunction against the Chinese company IMAI for its Pro Edge NC680-LP-AR NC680-LP-AR Pro Edge machine, which was exhibited right on the stand at Ligna Hannover.

The lawsuit that moved faster than the fair

The story is almost cinematic in its speed. While Ligna was still in progress, Homag's legal teams identified infringement of European patent EP 2243619 B2 and immediately filed for an injunction with the Braunschweig Regional Court. The company IMAI (Guangdong Super Machinery Technology Co. Ltd.) was summoned during the fair, and on June 12 the court confirmed the infringement and issued the injunction.

What was so special about the Pro Edge NC680-LP-AR? It was equipped with two alternative cant application processes: one with laser-activated pre-coated material and one with uncoated material where the adhesive is heated and applied directly with a roller. Exactly the combination protected by the Homag patent.

The context of a rapidly changing industry

This legal victory reflects a more complex reality than at first sight. The Chinese woodworking machinery industry is not what it was 10-15 years ago - companies like Nanxing or KDT have become sophisticated operators with substantial R&D departments and their own innovations. Many are developing competitive technologies, not just adaptations of existing ones.

At the same time, the European industry, for all its remarkable achievements, faces a certain inertia in adapting to the fast pace of the global market. Dr. Sergej Schwarz of Homag management was blunt: "Our technology represents years of hard work, ingenuity and the courage to invest in innovation. We will continue to act decisively against patent infringement."

Competition and collaboration in a global market

Paradoxically, while these legal disputes unfold, collaboration continues. Many European distributors work successfully with Chinese manufacturers, offering customers access to competitive technologies at affordable prices. The market reality is that innovation now comes from multiple directions, and end consumers benefit from this diversity.

Eight of the largest European manufacturers (Altendorf, Biesse, Bürkle, Homag, IMA Schelling, SCM, Weber, Weinig, Weinig) created the ETML standard for communication between tools and machines - a collaborative effort that shows the industry can also cooperate when needed.

What it means for the market

For entrepreneurs in the wood industry, this precedent signals that intellectual property protection is becoming a priority across the industry - regardless of the geographical origin of the innovation. It is a positive signal for all those investing in technological development.

In the long term, these legal disputes could contribute to a fairer market where innovation - wherever it comes from - is protected and rewarded. Both European and Asian manufacturers will have to invest more in their own development and less in rapidly adapting existing technologies.

The lesson for industry

Homag's victory at Ligna 2025 is not about "Europe versus China" - it's about respect for innovation in an increasingly competitive global industry. The message is clear for all players: investing in your own R&D is becoming not just a competitive advantage, but a necessity for survival.

And for consumers? An industry where innovation is protected and rewarded ultimately means better technologies for all.