Shower manufacturer Kohler Mira “Mira Showers” has won a High Court ruling against Norcros Group, parent company of the Triton Showers brand.

The Court ruled that Triton infringed on the patent of Mira Showers’s dual outlet electric shower technology (Mira’s patent GB 2,466, 504) with its DuElec range of showers.

Mira Showers commenced proceedings in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court in December 2022, claiming Triton had infringed its patent.

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It is yet unknown what the consequences will be for Triton, which has denied infringement and counterclaimed for revocation of the patent.

The trial took place on July 8-9, 2024 and a judgment was handed down on December 16, 2024,

Her Honour Judge Melissa Clarke held Mira Showers’s patent to be valid and infringed. The judgment is subject to appeal.

Managing director of Kohler Mira Emma Foster said: “We are thrilled with the fantastic result of our case against Triton, which has been ongoing for two years.

“At Kohler Mira, we invest significantly in research and development to bring the very best showering experience to our customers.

“One of our guiding principles is to live on the leading edge of design and innovation, and it is vital that this is backed with a strong commitment to fiercely protect our intellectual property”.

Commercial director at Triton Showers Phil Viner said: “Over the past 24 months, we have been defending a legal dispute brought by Kohler Mira, concerning a component used in our DuElec electric shower range.

“Despite our legal team having confidently and vigorously defended Triton’s position in this matter, our robust challenge has unfortunately been unsuccessful.

“We find the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court’s decision both surprising and disappointing and will be seeking permission from the Court to appeal the judgment early in the new year. 

“As the court has not yet ruled on the consequences of its decision, we are able to continue to manufacture and sell the DuElec shower range at least until that time, to ensure uninterrupted supply to our customers, and consumers.

“As the case is ongoing, our legal team will continue to handle this matter in accordance with the findings and instructions of the court, and we will not be commenting further.”

This is not the first time that Kohler Mira has taken action to protect its IP and investment made in innovation.

In 2013, the business brought a case against Bristan Group which was found to have infringed unregistered designs of Mira’s Azora electric shower with its Glee, Joy and Smile products and was ordered to pay damages.

Emma Foster added: “We will act to vehemently protect our investment, and our customers, if our intellectual property rights are infringed.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the Kohler legal team, the legal team at Mills & Reeve, and Three New Square IP for helping us to secure this comprehensive victory.”

Kohler Mira was represented by Mills & Reeve LLP, and Douglas Campbell KC and Thomas Lunt of Three New Square IP.