As we cruise into an Easter weekend, something a little on the lighter side this week
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Are you familiar with the annual LogiMat material handling trade show, held each Spring in Stuttgart, Germany? It’s a massive event, even bigger than its US equivalent, MHI’s ProMat show held every other year in Chicago.
Gilmore Says.... |
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I’m no lawyer, but I am sure such matters are handled in civil not criminal court in the US.
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The 2026 LogiMat was recently held, running March 24-26.
This year, there was some real drama I thought I would share, as reported by many sources, notably the LogisticsMatters blog.
Ocado is a maker of robotic picking systems, developed initially to meet its own needs as an on-line grocer in the UK, but then turned into a business selling to other grocers, notably to Kroger, which ended in a public divorce in 2025 after a much-reported deal a few years ago.
Another automation vendor named Brightpick, like Ocado a LogiMat exhibitor, starts describing the saga.
“Shortly after midnight the day before LogiMAT, and just six days after unveiling our new Gridpicker solution, Brightpick received a warning letter from Ocado alleging infringement of one of their patents. “Shortly after midnight the day before LogiMAT, and just six days after unveiling our new Gridpicker solution, Brightpick received a warning letter from Ocado alleging infringement of one of their patents,” said Brightpick CEO Jan Zizca in a statement.
He continued:
“After giving us just 13 hours to respond (including the night), Ocado sought a preliminary injunction in Germany.
“Yesterday, the Regional Court of Düsseldorf issued that injunction on an expedited basis and without our involvement or an oral hearing.
“Despite immediately complying with it and suspending the presentation of Gridpicker at LogiMAT, Ocado representatives chose to bring police officers to our booth to enforce the order.
“We believe Ocado’s allegations are spurious and intend to challenge the claims to the fullest extent.
“This is an interim measure, not a final decision. The order applies to Germany only.
“We remain fully committed to our customers and to bringing Gridpicker to market globally.”
Brightpick opted to drape its stand in white sheets with slogans daubed on them reading ‘So good they don’t want you to see it’ and ‘Why so afraid?’.
Zizca added: “This is how you know you launched something truly disruptive.”
Ocado is known for robust patent protection. In July 2023, AutoStore and Ocado settled a three-year global patent dispute over warehouse robotics. AutoStore agreed to pay Ocado £200 million in instalments over two years, while both companies agreed to a cross-license of their respective patents, allowing both to continue using and marketing their technology without further litigation.
The Grocer.com web site ran with this headline describing the action: “Ocado calls the cops on rival at Stuttgart tradeshow.”
I am told Germany has very tough laws regarding intellectual property. I guess so.
I’m no lawyer, but I am sure such matters are handled in civil not criminal court in the US.
We’ll keep you posted on this one – what it’s done for me is created a strong interest in what Brightpick really has.
Happy Easter.
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