Eurocopter sues Bell Helicopter over landing gear

MONTREAL, May 13 (Reuters) - EADS (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) unit Eurocopter has sued Textron Inc (TXT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) subsidiary Bell Helicopter Textron Canada over what the European helicopter maker says is infringement of a patent for a type of landing gear.

The lawsuit, filed on Friday in the Federal Court of Canada, seeks punitive damages of C$25 million ($25 million).

In the court filing, Eurocopter said it wants financial compensation for the more than 250 Bell 429 model helicopters built using a landing gear design that Eurocopter claims infringes its patent.

The Bell 429 features an "energy attenuating sled type landing gear," according to Bell Helicopter Textron's website.

In its lawsuit, Eurocopter asks Bell to stop making the landing gear and to cease promoting it as a Bell innovation for the 429 model.

Officials for Bell Helicopter Textron could not immediately be reached for comment. The company makes helicopters at Mirabel, Quebec, north of Montreal.

Bell Helicopter is the commercial helicopter division of U.S.-based aircraft maker Textron. Eurocopter is wholly owned by European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Co. ($1=$1.00 Canadian) (Reporting by Robert Melnbardis; editing by Rob Wilson)