Valmont Industries filed a lawsuit against Better Metal, LLC alleging that Better Metal has infringed upon four of its patents after Valmont discovered Better Metal drawings in AT&T project plans for an installation on a Crown Castle tower in Houston. Source: Court documents
Nebraska-based Valmont Industries, Inc. has taken legal action against Tennessee’s Better Metal, LLC, filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee. The lawsuit alleges that Better Metal has violated four of Valmont’s patents through the manufacturing and sale of comparable products.
Valmont seeks a jury trial to recover damages resulting from the patent infringements, requesting an injunction or reasonable royalties against future violations along with attorneys’ fees.
The patents in question include three for the Bolt Calibrated Angle Mainstay for Tower Construction and Method for Use, and one for the Bolt Calibrated Angle Mainstay for Wall Connection System and Method for Use. All patents, credited to inventor Brandon Chapman, were issued between June 2019 and March 2022.
Valmont became aware of the infringements when Better Metal’s drawings, specifying man-rated mount specifications for an AT&T installation on a Crown Castle 120-foot self-supporting tower in Houston, TX, were included in site plans issued in August 2022.
On May 30, 2023, Valmont issued a cease-and-desist letter to Better Metal, which went unanswered. Despite the notice, Better Metal allegedly continues to infringe on Valmont’s patents.
After six months without a response, Valmont officially filed the complaint on November 16, 2023. Although Better Metal was initially required to respond by today, Valmont and the court have agreed to extend the deadline to January 8.