Mertik Maxitrol Inc. sued Honeywell in courts in Germany and the United States claiming copyright infringement and unfair competition with regard to Honeywell’s sale, distribution, and advertising of a gas control valve. Mertik Maxitrol alleges that Honeywell was producing in China an unauthorized copy of Mertik Maxitrol’s gas valve and was marketing and selling the counterfeit valve throughout Europe. In March 2011, it was announced that Mertik Maxitrol settled the German lawsuit for an undisclosed amount and would continue pursuing its U.S. claims.