Caterpillar countersues Bobcat in escalating patent fight

Caterpillar is countersuing Doosan Bobcat North America, escalating a patent dispute between the two equipment manufacturers into a broader legal battle over core compact machine technologies. 

Irving, Texas-based Caterpillar is accusing West Fargo, N.D.-based Bobcat and its dealer network, including Berry Companies and its subsidiary Bobcat of North Texas, of infringing on six patents related to machine control systems, hydraulic performance and power management, according to a March 24 filing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. 

Caterpillar, according to the filing, is seeking:  

• Damages;  

• Enhanced damages for alleged willful infringement;  

• Attorneys’ fees; and

• A permanent injunction to block further sales of the disputed equipment. 

Caterpillar denies allegations made in the original Dec. 2 lawsuit filed by Bobcat, arguing that the patents in question held by Bobcat, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Doosan Group, are invalid under United States patent law, despite the Korean-owned, U.S.-based OEM stating the contrary back in December.

“For 100 years, Caterpillar’s products have helped build and power America’s infrastructure as well as countless transit, energy and mining projects across the globe,” a Caterpillar spokesperson told Equipment Finance News in a statement.  

“We pride ourselves on our continued advancement and investments in innovation to support our customers’ toughest challenges and have a right to protect our intellectual property.”

“We believe that Doosan has infringed upon Caterpillar patents, and Caterpillar will vigorously pursue its claims in court.” — Caterpillar spokesperson

Bobcat and Berry Companies could not be reached for comment ahead of publication. 

Bobcat’s initial complaint 

In the initial complaint, Bobcat alleged Caterpillar had infringed on 14 patents tied to machine maneuverability, performance and efficiency. Bobcat also named San Antonio, Texas-based Caterpillar dealer Holt Group in its lawsuit and has sought damages and injunctive relief against that company. Holt Group could also not be reached for comment ahead of publication. 

Bobcat has expanded the dispute into the global markets, filing a complaint with the International Trade Commission to block U.S. imports of certain Caterpillar machines, as well as related actions in Germany and the European Union’s Unified Patent Court, according to the Bobcat complaint. 

Both companies seek injunctions and financial damages against the other, raising the potential for disruptions to the growing compact construction equipment market, ahead of a potential jury trial demanded by Caterpillar in its March 24 filing. 

In its counterclaims, Caterpillar alleges Bobcat had prior knowledge of its intellectual property through extensive competitive benchmarking, including side-by-side comparisons of Caterpillar equipment and internal analysis of machine performance.  

Caterpillar further claims Bobcat manufactures and distributes the disputed equipment through dealers such as Bobcat of North Texas, and its parent, Wichita, Kan.-based Berry Companies, according to the filing.

Dispute reflects market competition 

Caterpillar and Bobcat remain key competitors in the global construction equipment market and the compact construction equipment market, with Caterpillar ranked first in global construction market share in 2024, while Bobcat ranked eleventh, according to the 2025 KHL Yellow Table. 

Meanwhile, the global compact equipment market was valued at $46.7 billion in 2025, according to a January report released by market research firm Research and Markets. The market is forecasted to hit $59.4 billion by 2030 as demand rises for smaller, more versatile machines like skid-steers and compact track loaders. 

Bobcat tried to increase its share of the compact construction equipment market in December 2025 as it entered advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in Germany-based Wacker Neuson for about $3.4 billion. Meanwhile, Caterpillar launched Cat Compact, a dedicated platform for the compact construction equipment market, in its bid for more share of the market, Chief Executive Joseph Creed said during a March 5 presentation at the ConExpo tradeshow in Las Vegas. 

“What we’re seeing with Cat Compact, the full intent of that commercial excellence in Cat Compact, getting close to the customers to speak to a smaller subsegment of the construction industry that really doesn’t consider us as much as we’d like them to,” Creed said. 

The fourth annual Equipment Finance Connect, a crucial industry event for equipment lenders and dealers, takes place at the C. Baldwin Hotel in Houston from May 18-19. Learn more about the event and register here by April 3 for early-bird savings.