3M announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary 3M Deutschland GmbH has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the District Court of Düsseldorf, Germany, against Sue Heung REF Co., GIOLITE-LUMIAN Co., GIO-LITE Europe GmbH and its managing director (collectively, GIO-LITE).

The suit alleges that GIO-LITE’s retro-reflective fire coat trim product FR-119, which GIO-LITE advertises in Germany for use on garments for fire-fighters, infringes 3M's German patent corresponding to EP 0 759 179.

3M has provided fire services with enhanced visibility products for over 25 years. 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material – Fire Coat Trim is designed to enhance the visibility of firefighters and emergency personnel in daylight, as well as low light and nighttime conditions.

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. 3M’s wholly owned German subsidiary 3M Deutschland GmbH employs 3,000 people in Germany and had sales of 1.3 billion € in 2006.

3M and Scotchlite are trademarks of 3M.

3MDonna Fleming Runyon, +1-651-736-7646or3M Deutschland GmbHManfred Kremer, +49-2131-14-2357