Lutron Files Intellectual Property Suit Against P&S Legrand

July 1, 2011
Lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics Co., Coopersburg, Pa., said it has filed actions before the International Trade Commission and the United

Lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics Co., Coopersburg, Pa., said it has filed actions before the International Trade Commission and the United States District Court for the Central District of California against Pass & Seymour/Legrand, Syracuse, N.Y., and several other companies over what it says are violations of patents on a line of dimming controls.

In the suit, Lutron claimed that Pass & Seymour and the other defendants manufacture and sell products made to look like Lutron's Diva line of dimmers. The Pass & Seymour lighting control products accused of infringement include certain dimmers from its Harmony line.

The respondents named in Lutron's filing for ITC action include Pass & Seymour, a subsidiary of Legrand Holding, SA of Limoges, France; Zhejiang Yuelong Mechanical & Electrical Co. LTD; Zhejiang Lux Electric Company LTD; Wenzhou Huir Electric Science & Technology Co. LTD; American Top Electric Corp.; AH Lighting; Elemental LED, LLC; and Westgate Mfg., Inc.

Pass & Seymour said it's unfamiliar with the other companies named in the suit. “We are unaware of these companies and have no relationship with them. Our Harmony dimmers were developed and are manufactured at our own facilities,” Pat Davin, vice president/brand general manager for Pass & Seymour/Legrand, told Electrical Marketing newsletter.