MCi primarily supplies so-called Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), which supply their mirrors to many car brands. The company operates on a massive scale: to date, it has produced more than two billion actuators worldwide. In product development, MCi regularly collaborates directly with the design departments of leading car manufacturers.

The innovations patented by MCi range from compact mirror actuators—for which the company has developed numerous concepts, functions, and features over more than sixty years—to electric charging port doors for electric vehicles. With over a hundred active patent families and a multitude of patents, intellectual property protection is deeply intertwined with the design process. Stefan Brouwer, senior research engineer at MCi: “We don’t bring anything to market that doesn’t have the potential to be patented.” The company’s intellectual property proved valuable during the acquisition by the American company Flex in 2015. In the eight years leading up to the acquisition, MCi’s value had quadrupled, partly due to this.

Bernard Ledeboer

MCi has deliberately opted for a selective yet effective patent strategy. Whereas applications were previously filed in many countries, the focus is now on core markets such as Germany, the U.S., and China. Brouwer: “We usually only need to seek protection in a limited number of countries. Many products, such as cars, are sold worldwide in the same configuration—that is, with the same mirrors.

Since those products are always marketed in Germany, the United States, and China, we can effectively cover the entire market with a patent in those three countries.” MCi uses its patent portfolio both defensively and offensively. On the one hand, to combat product copies and unwanted imitations; on the other hand, by securing patent positions that can block potential improvements to competitors’ products. Brouwer: “We continuously monitor what is happening in the market and actively safeguard our patents. Patents help us protect our position, but also identify opportunities.”

Stefan Brouwer, senior research engineer

MCi typically files new patents in the Netherlands first, followed by a PCT application. Only then, based on commercial necessity, is a decision made to proceed to the national phase in each country. Germany is a standard choice due to its strong automotive industry. Brouwer: “With our budget, we focus on those countries where we are commercially active and where protection is most effective.”

V.O. has been working with MCi since 1963, with a team of patent attorneys, trademark attorneys, and attorneys at law. The patent attorneys advise not only on patent applications, but also on country prioritization and legal enforcement. MCi uses advanced analytical tools and has trained in-house specialists for patent monitoring. Bernard Ledeboer, their patent attorney for over 25 years: “That’s an effective approach. It allows us to respond more quickly and ensure their portfolio truly works strategically.”

The collaboration also bore fruit during infringement proceedings in China against a Chinese competitor. V.O. took the lead in this legal process. After years of litigation, the case was won. The case concluded with substantial damages awarded to MCi and was also named one of the ten most successful patent cases of the past decade in Shanghai. Ledeboer: “The impact of such a case goes far beyond the financial aspect. It has a deterrent effect and strengthens MCi’s reputation among OEMs. As a manufacturer, you’re sending a clear message: we’re not to be trifled with.”

The automotive sector is changing rapidly. Brouwer: “We see that Chinese companies are becoming technically stronger and iterating faster than they did ten years ago.” MCi is now developing solutions that cater to next-generation mobility, as well as new applications in other sectors. Ledeboer: “Taking a proactive and flexible approach to protecting intellectual property for new applications will pay off in the future.”

Camera and display technology now offers an alternative to the traditional side mirror. MCi developed one of the thinnest and lightest actuators for folding truck camera wings.