Heckler & Koch and Magpul settle assault rifle patent dispute

Heckler & Koch has cleared a stumbling block in a dispute over new assault rifle procurement for the German army. The arms manufacturer and its supplier Magpul have settled a patent case over the rifle's munition magazine. But a procurement dispute, also involving competitor Haenel, is ongoing.

Heckler & Koch, MagpalWhile Heckler & Koch and Magpul have settled a dispute over assault rifle patents, a separate procurement dispute between Heckler & Koch and Haenel is heating up ©evgenius1985/ADOBE STOCK

German weapons company Heckler & Koch and US magazine maker Magpul settled a patent dispute last week. According to reports from several media outlets, the two companies agreed that Heckler & Koch may offer and sell a magazine it developed itself in both the UK, and in EU countries.

The agreement applies especially to a tender currently underway by the German Armed Forces, although details remain scarce. Overthe course of the tender for 120,000 new assault rifles, the question had arisen whether Heckler & Koch’s magazine for the rifleinfringes Magpul’sEP 22 08 957. The EPO granted the patent in 2013 and it has never been challenged by competitors.

To eliminate doubt, Heckler & Koch filed a negative declaratory action at the Regional Court Düsseldorf against Magpul, although the court never heard the case. As part of the settlement, Heckler & Koch has now withdrawn the claim.

Stage victory for Heckler & Koch

Although it has reached an agreement with Magpul, Heckler & Koch has removed only one hurdle to landing a major order for the new rifle. The main obstacle is a procurement dispute between competitor C.G. Haenel and the German Armed Forces.

For a long time, it looked as if the German Armed Forces procurement authority (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, or the BAAINBw) would award Haenel the contract. The authority is responsible for awarding such defence contracts.

But in March 2021, the BAAINBw made an about-face. It ruled out Haenel in favour of Heckler & Koch, due to alleged patent infringement.

Last December, Düsseldorf Regional Court ruled that Haenel’s CR 223 assault rifle infringes a patent held by Heckler & Koch. Specifically, the rifle manufacturer enforced European patentEP 20 18 508 B1, which protects a type of rifle-locking system (case ID: 4a O 68/20). The dispute concerns the openings for rapid water drainage from the gun.

The court did not stay proceedings pending a nullity suit filed at the Federal Patent Court (case ID: 7 Ni 29/20), as the infringement proceedings only concern a part of the patent.

Haenel later appealed the Düsseldorf decision. JUVE Patent is not yet aware when Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court will hear the case. The same applies for the nullity case at the German Federal Patent Court.

Focus on procurement

Just two days ago, the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court heard a lawsuit filed by Haenel against the German Armed Forces procurement office. Here, Haenel wants to clarify whether its exclusion from the tender due to allegations of patent infringement is legal.

Haenel argues that it does not infringe Heckler & Koch’s patent because the patent was wrongly granted. The court plans to announce its ruling on April 6.