Mercedes-Benz Airscarf banned in Germany

Mercedes-Benz’s innovative hot-air neck heater has been banned in Germany over concerns the car-maker does not legally own the rights to use the technology.

The Airscarf, which blows heated air through the head restraints onto the necks of drivers and passengers, is available on the SLC, SL, S-Class, E-Class and C-Class convertibles, as well as the AMG GT super-roadster, has now been banned by Germany’s Federal Court of Justice until the dispute is resolved.

The court ruling follows a claim by patent owner, Ludwig Schatzinger, that Daimler had not been given permission to use the technology in its cars.

Not only has Mercedes-Benz now been banned from selling the technology in its cars, the German courts has ordered all cars within the dealer network to have their Airscarf ventilation system disabled.

Commenting on the court ruling, a spokeswoman for Mercedes-Benz told European newswire Automotive News that she was “astonished” by the court’s decision, especially since Daimler had already won a legal dispute over the patent in Germany’s lower courts.

It’s expected Mercedes-Benz will appeal against the judgement.