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Legal Contingencies | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
LEGAL CONTINGENCIES | LEGAL CONTINGENCIES Eaton is subject to a broad range of claims, administrative and legal proceedings such as lawsuits that relate to contractual allegations, tax audits, patent infringement, personal injuries (including asbestos claims), antitrust matters and employment-related matters. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome or cost of these matters, the Company believes they will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements. In December 2010, a Brazilian court held that a judgment obtained by a Brazilian company, Raysul, against another Brazilian company, Saturnia, which was sold by Eaton in 2006, could be enforced against Eaton Ltda. This judgment is based on an alleged violation of an agency agreement between Raysul and Saturnia. At June 30, 2013, the Company has a total accrual of 71 Brazilian Reais related to this matter ($32 based on current exchange rates), comprised of 60 Brazilian Reais recognized in the fourth quarter of 2010 ($27 based on current exchange rates) with an additional 11 Brazilian Reais recognized through June 30, 2013 ($5 based on current exchange rates). In 2010, Eaton filed motions for clarification with the Brazilian court of appeals which were denied on April 6, 2011. Eaton Holding and Eaton Ltda. filed appeals on various issues to the Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia. In April 2013, the Superior Court of Justice ruled in favor of Raysul. Additional motions for clarification have been filed with the Superior Court of Justice in Brasilia and an additional appeal is being considered. The Company expects that any sum it may be required to pay in connection with this matter will not exceed the amount of the recorded liability. On October 5, 2006, ZF Meritor LLC and Meritor Transmission Corporation (collectively, Meritor) filed an action against Eaton in the United States District Court for Delaware. The action sought damages, which would be trebled under United States antitrust laws, as well as injunctive relief and costs. The suit alleged that Eaton engaged in anti-competitive conduct against Meritor in the sale of heavy-duty truck transmissions in North America. Following a four week trial on liability only, on October 8, 2009, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Meritor. Eaton firmly believes that it competes fairly and honestly for business in the marketplace, and that at no time did it act in an anti-competitive manner. During an earlier stage in the case, the judge concluded that damage estimates contained in a report filed by Meritor were not based on reliable data and the report was specifically excluded from the case. On November 3, 2009, Eaton filed a motion for judgment as a matter of law and to set aside the verdict. That motion was denied on March 10, 2011. On March 14, 2011, Eaton filed a motion for entry of final judgment of liability, zero damages and no injunctive relief. That motion was denied on June 9, 2011. On August 19, 2011, the Court entered final judgment of liability but awarded zero damages to plaintiffs. The Court also entered an injunction prohibiting Eaton from offering rebates or other incentives based on purchasing targets but stayed the injunction pending appeal. Eaton appealed the liability finding and the injunction to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Meritor cross-appealed the finding of zero damages. On September 28, 2012, the Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's denial of Eaton's motion for judgment as a matter of law, and let stand the jury verdict in favor of Meritor. The Third Circuit also ruled that the plaintiffs' damages report was properly excluded, but reversed the judgment of zero damages and ordered that the District Court must allow plaintiffs a limited opportunity to amend the damages report, which may be re-considered for reliability and admissibility. Injunctive relief also was vacated. An estimate of any potential loss related to this action cannot be made at this time.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for legal proceedings, legal contingencies, litigation, regulatory and environmental matters and other contingencies. + References No definition available. + Details
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