Simula Sues Autoliv for Patent Infringement

4 November 1998
Simula Sues Autoliv for Patent Infringement
    PHOENIX, Nov. 4 -- Simula, Inc. announced that it
has filed a complaint in United States District Court for the District of
Delaware against Autoliv, Inc. and affiliated companies, seeking
injunctive relief and damages for patent infringement.  The complaint alleges
that Autoliv is offering and selling a product that unlawfully infringes a
patent owned by Simula for its Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS) head and
neck protection system for automobiles.  Autoliv advertises and promotes its
device as a side-impact "inflatable curtain."  Simula asserts that the
infringement commenced in the United States in October 1998, upon the
introduction of new automobiles that use the inflatable curtain as a form of
side impact protection.
    In February 1998, Simula sued Autoliv in the United States District Court
of Arizona in a case arising out of different facts.  In that unrelated
lawsuit, Simula alleged certain anti-competitive acts and practices by
Autoliv.  That litigation is pending.
    Simula's president, Don Townsend, said, "The Simula ITS is the most widely
used side-impact head protection system in the world today.  We have recently
entered into agreements with TRW and Delphi Automotive Systems to market the
ITS and further expand its adoption by automakers.  We believe that the facts
will show that Autoliv has attempted to develop a device to compete with the
ITS but that this product infringes the ITS patent."
    Simula, Inc., based in Phoenix, Arizona, is an acknowledged world leader
in transportation safety energy absorption technology.  Its principal product
lines are high-technology, energy-absorbing aircraft seating systems;
lightweight and efficient advanced composite structures; protective systems
including airbags, inflatable restraints and ballistic armor, and rail and
mass transit seating systems.  Additional information about the company is
located on the Internet at http://www.simula.com.