Pirelli wins against Chinese tyre makers Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber and Tianjin Kingtyre at UPC
The Milan local division of the UPC has ruled in favour of Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli Tyre in two cases. The judges found that two Chinese competitors, Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber and Tianjin Kingtyre, had infringed and must withdraw certain tyre models from the market.
28 May 2026 by Christina Schulze
Last November’s International Two-Wheeler Exhibition (EICMA) has had repercussions for two Chinese tyre manufacturers. This week, the Milan local division ruled that both had infringed a patent held by the Italian company Pirelli Tyre.
The proceedings between Pirelli and Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber concern the infringement of EP 3 519 207. The patent protects a specific design of a motorcycle tyre. The panel around presiding judge Pierluigi Perrotti included Alima Zana, Marije Knijff and Elisabetta Papa. They ruled that Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber’s tyre models Helios HA-51R and Helios HA-51F infringe the patent. The judges ordered the defendant to withdraw their infringing products from the market in Italy, Germany and France (case IDs: UPC_CFI_770/2024, and UPC_CFI_556/2025).
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- Pierluigi Perrotti
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- Alima Zana
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- Marije Knijff
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- Elisabetta Papa
The panel dismissed a counterclaim for revocation. The court also ordered Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber to publish information about the decision on its website.
Did not appear
In parallel proceedings, Pirelli asserted its EP 2 519 412 (case ID: UPC_CFI_771/2024) against the Chinese tyre manufacturer Tianjin Kingtyre. The patent also protects a specific design for a motorbike tyre. According to the judgement, Tianjin Kingtyre did not join the proceedings and allowed the deadline for filing a statement of defence to expire. This is highly unusual. As a result, Pirelli was able to obtain a default judgement.
The Chamber consisting of Pierluigi Perrotti, Alima Zana and Marije Knijff confirmed that service through the Chinese ILCC portal (Ministry of Justice) satisfies the Hague Convention requirements. With this decision, the case is closed according to the UPC Register.
Italian representatives
Pirelli Tyre is working in both proceedings with Davide Graziano, Matteo Orsingher and Federica Franchetti from the Italian IP boutique Orsingher Ortu in Milan.
For its defence, Sichuan Yuanxing Rubber brought on board a team from Jacobacci Avvocati, comprising Marco Francetti, Marina Cristofori and patent attorneys Steffen Falk Leikhauf and Fabio di Biase.
Tianjin Kingtyre has chosen not to be represented in the proceedings.
Both proceedings were conducted in Italian.
