A French bailiff for Bell Helicopter at Paris Air Show.

Bell Helicopter was involved in an international incident of sorts this week at the Paris Air Show.

A French bailiff, that country’s version of a legal process-server, appeared at Bell’s exhibit accompanied by patent lawyers with a summons demanding documents and access to Bell’s new 429 helicopter display.

It seems that a year ago, Eurocopter, which has overtaken Bell as the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer, filed a lawsuit in Canada, claiming that the skid landing gear on the model 429 looked like a patented Eurocopter design.

So it seem the French know how to play rough.

I don't know if Bell somewhat copy the design or if the same problems lead to the same solution.

Rest of article:

www.star-telegram.com...

The Russians a few years ago did not show up at the airshow for this very reason.