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Shower manufacturer Kohler Mira (Mira Showers) has won a High Court ruling against the parent company of the Triton Showers brand, Norcros Group .
The Court ruled that Triton infringed on the patent of Mira Showers’s dual outlet electric shower technology with its DuElec range of showers.
The initial proceedings in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court were in December 2022, when Mira Showers claimed that Triton had infringed its patent. Triton denied infringement and counterclaimed for revocation of the patent.
The trial took place on 8 and 9 July 2024, and the judgment was handed down on Monday 16th December 2024, Her Honour Judge Melissa Clarke held Mira Showers’s patent to be valid and infringed. The judgment is subject to appeal.
Kohler Mira managing director Emma Foster said: “We are thrilled with the fantastic result of our case against Triton, which has been ongoing for two years. At Kohler Mira, we invest significantly in research and development to bring the very best showering experience to our customers. One of our guiding principles is to live on the leading edge of design and innovation, and it is vital that this is backed with a strong commitment to fiercely protect our intellectual property”.
Phil Viner, Commercial Director at Triton Showers, said: “Over the past 24 months, we have been defending a legal dispute brought by Kohler Mira, concerning a component used in our DuElec® electric shower range. Despite our legal team having confidently and vigorously defended Triton’s position in this matter, our robust challenge has unfortunately been unsuccessful.
“We find the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court’s decision both surprising and disappointing and will be seeking permission from the Court to appeal the judgment early in the new year. As the court has not yet ruled on the consequences of its decision, we are able to continue to manufacture and sell the DuElec® shower range at least until that time, to ensure uninterrupted supply to our customers, and consumers. As the case is ongoing, our legal team will continue to handle this matter in accordance with the findings and instructions of the court, and we will not be commenting further.”
In 2013, Kohler Mira brought a case against Bristan Group which was found to have infringed unregistered designs of Mira’s Azora electric shower with its Glee, Joy and Smile products and was ordered to pay damages.
Foster added: “We will act to vehemently protect our investment, and our customers, if our intellectual property rights are infringed. We would like to extend our thanks to the Kohler legal team, the legal team at Mills & Reeve, and Three New Square IP for helping us to secure this comprehensive victory.”
