Motorized Scooter Pioneer Files Federal Lawsuit Against Chinese Government

RENO, Nevada, March 11 -- Patmont Motor Werks, Inc., the Nevada-based manufacturer of hand-crafted Go-Ped(R) brand scooters, today filed a federal suit charging the Chinese Government and an association of Chinese companies with Unfair Trade Practice and Conspiracy to Restrain Trade Under the Anti Trust Laws.

The action seeks to correct fair international trade laws that prevent original American-made products from being sold in China. The lawsuit illustrates a clear example of how American products like Go-Ped(R) brand scooters are refused access into the same countries that export massive volumes of unsafe imitation products into the United States at below cost and/or with foreign government subsidies.

Consumer products exported into the United States from China are admitted under inferior labor laws and with zero customs duties. In addition to addressing fair trade and intellectual property laws, the suit filed by Patmont Motor Werks encompasses a national issue that directly affects American jobs, small businesses and consumer confidence in the purchasing of safe products.

"Chinese exporters can unload their products on the American market with no duty or tax, but heavy duties and other taxes prevent businesses like ours from selling our products to Chinese consumers," said Steven J. Patmont, president and CEO of Patmont Motor Werks. "This suit does more than try to protect one company such as my family's, as American consumers are at risk when unsafe low-quality foreign manufactured products with terrible safety records are allowed free entry into this country."

Patmont Motor Werks is a family-owned business with more than 100 employees dedicated to handcrafting a full range of personal transport devices, including motorized, electric and self-powered scooters. The Company has nearly 20 years of experience in developing and distributing its personalized transport products in the United States and overseas. The Company alleges that the Chinese Government has imposed unfair import costs on its products, which have prevented the company from fairly competing in the motorized scooter marketplace.

"American jobs, consumer confidence, and the very existence of the American dream have little chance for survival if there is no international fair trade," says Patmont. "After exhausting all other resources to address and correct this problem, we are turning to the federal court to make a determination about fair trade practices."

The suit also asks the federal court to protect the patents, trademarks and copyrights of Patmont Motor Werks from copying by the Chinese scooter association.

About Patmont Motor Werks, Inc.

Patmont Motor Werks, creator of the Go-Ped(R) scooter brand, is a family-owned and operated company that hand-crafts a full range of personal transport devices, including motorized, electric and self-powered scooters. The company also offers Go-Gear(R) apparel, accessories and jewelry. Go-Ped(R) products are inspired and designed to capture the fun, free and trend-setting spirit that is the very essence of the individualistic lifestyle. As the creator of the highest quality personal transport devices, Go-Ped(R) is an established brand among extreme sports enthusiasts. Go-Ped(R) branded personal transport devices are available through a dedicated network of dealers in North America, Europe, Asia Africa and the Middle East, and on the Internet at www.goped.com.