Caterpillar escalates patent fight with Doosan Bobcat over construction tech
Two complaints filed between U.S. District Court, ITC
Caterpillar has expanded its patent infringement battle with Doosan Bobcat, filing new lawsuits that escalate the dispute between two major construction equipment manufacturers over compact machine technology.
The latest complaints, filed May 26 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware and with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), accuse Bobcat and affiliated Doosan entities of infringing four Caterpillar patents tied to machine control systems, hydraulic performance, fuel efficiency and smooth-drive technologies used in compact and heavy construction equipment, according to the filings.
In the new lawsuits, Caterpillar says Bobcat telehandlers, excavators and compact track loaders — including TL519, TL723 and TL923 telehandlers, E145 and E165 excavators and T86 compact track loaders — unlawfully incorporate Caterpillar technologies.
Caterpillar says the technologies improve heavy equipment performance by preventing engine overload, optimizing hydraulic power, smoothing acceleration and improving fuel efficiency.
The Delaware complaint also says Bobcat conducted extensive competitive benchmarking of Caterpillar equipment through “Bobcat Advantage” marketing materials and side-by-side machine comparisons.
Six months of legal challenges
The legal fight began in December 2025 when Bobcat sued Caterpillar in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, saying Caterpillar copied 14 Bobcat patents covering maneuverability, machine efficiency and compact equipment performance.
Caterpillar countersued in March, saying Bobcat infringed Caterpillar patents related to hydraulic systems and machine controls.
“Caterpillar is seeking to address the unlawful importation and sale of products by Doosan that the company believes incorporate current Caterpillar innovations and infringe valid and enforceable Caterpillar patents,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
In the ITC filing, Caterpillar seeks a limited exclusion order blocking imports of the equipment in question into the United States. At the same time, the Delaware lawsuit seeks multiple damage claims for willful infringement and permanent injunctions.
