Court blocks sale in Germany of Mercedes-Benz's Airscarf system

Bad news for the star manufacturer. A court ruling in its home country, Germany, forces it to stop selling its Airscarf system.

This brings to an end a long legal battle that has gone through different stages, resulting in the loss of commercial rights by Mercedes.

The Airscarf system is very well known internationally. It is an add-on to the climate control system of Mercedes convertibles, which helps keep the front seat occupants at a comfortable temperature.

Mercedes-Benz has been using this comfort system for many years, specifically since 2004, coinciding with the launch of the second generation of its smallest roadster, the SLK, now called the SLC. The Airscarf system is today widely used across the German brand, fitted to the SLK/SLC, SL, S Cabrio, E Cabrio, C Cabrio and AMG GT Roadster.

Airscarf works by using fans and air outlets in the front seat headrests, which draw in air, heat it to a temperature adjustable at will, and expel it at the level of the occupants’ nape/neck. Thanks to this feature, the sense of comfort is far greater.

For now, this court ban affects Germany exclusively

However, it seems that not everything about this system is positive, since the brand, after several legal battles, has been hit with a ban in its home country, Germany, on marketing and selling this system due to a patent dispute. It appears the German brand used certain components “owned” by others without permission.

The ruling of the German regional court requires Mercedes-Benz to stop marketing its vehicles with this system immediately, and to compensate the patent holder with an amount yet to be determined. In addition, the brand is forced to disable the system on all vehicles sold so far, an action whose execution is currently unclear.

This court decision has left the brand completely surprised, especially after having won numerous lawsuits over this system in the past. The good news for Mercedes comes from the calendar, since the patent for this system expires in December of this same year, so from that date the German brand will be able to market this system again without having to answer to anyone.

Via | Automotive News