Enercon CEO Aloys Wobben has learned a trick or two from GE in using patents to push out competition - while still playing on his 'power for all', grass roots PR play. The German manufacturer has not gotten around GE's variable speed patent in the US and sought to punish the American manufacturer in Germany. That was around 2003 - and GE sought to defend its patent rights in the UK as well, though a stay was granted. Well, Enercon has taken up the patent crusade in true Wobben fashion, going after lightening protection , and now a grid codes patent violation against Vestas.
The grid codes patent is as threatening as GE's variable speed in that it attempts to put up barriers around a fundamental technical concept of turbine functioning - grid connection. The patent infringement charges signal that Enercon is feeling the heat from its bigger competitors, and is having to dig deep to stay in the game. It recently called off its whole offshore turbine development program, a main driver for Germany's offshore industry, and is struggling to solidify its presence outside of Germany.
These are trying times for Wobben; however, his impressive achievements in turbine development and pushing the industry forward in Germany suggest he can do alot better than lean on patents for market share.
Comments