As a result of JCB's tough action, the machines had to be either removed from Bauma and impounded or concealed from view.

Three Far Eastern manufacturers had some of their machines removed from Bauma 2010 and impounded or concealed from view, after JCB successfully applied for court orders in Germany resulting in preliminary injunctions being served against them.

The action was taken against the unnamed manufacturers for product copying and patent infringements.

Tim Burnhope, JCB Group's managing director for product development and commercial operations, says JCB "will not tolerate blatant copying of its machines or infringement of internationally recognised patents" and will act quickly and decisively to stamp out such practices in each instance.

"JCB invests many years and many millions of pounds developing and innovating new products. It's clearly unfair for any manufacturer to then simply free-ride on the results of that investment and research," Burnhope says.

He adds that the industry has to unite "to prevent such unlawful practices".

The action in Germany concerned infringement of JCB's intellectual property rights on its backhoe loader and Loadall machines by three separate Far Eastern manufacturers. JCB declined to provide further information when contacted by Forkliftaction.com News.