COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

6 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Trade Secret Litigation over Claims of Eaton Corporation

On July 9, 2004, Eaton Corporation and several of its subsidiaries (collectively, “Eaton”) sued the Company, a subsidiary and certain employees of the Company and the subsidiary on claims alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and intellectual property allegedly belonging to Eaton relating to the design and manufacture of hydraulic pumps and motors used in military and commercial aviation.  The subsidiary and the individual engineer defendants answered Eaton's claims and filed counterclaims, while the Company and an officer of the Company moved to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. In the course of discovery in the suit, the court began an investigation of allegations of wrongdoing by Eaton in its conduct of the litigation. Eaton denied, and continues to deny, these allegations. On December 22, 2010, however, the court dismissed all of Eaton's claims with prejudice based on the court's conclusion that a fraud had been perpetrated on the court by counsel for Eaton of which Eaton was aware or should have been aware. Meanwhile, the Company, several subsidiaries, and the employees sued by Eaton are now pursuing claims (including antitrust claims) and counterclaims against Eaton based on the Eaton misconduct that led to the dismissal of Eaton's claims. Given the court's dismissal of Eaton's claims, we cannot conclude that a loss arising from Eaton's claims is probable. However, given the unusual nature and complexity of the case, we also cannot conclude that the probability of loss is remote, nor can we reasonably estimate the possible loss, or range of loss, that could be incurred by the Company if Eaton were to prevail on appeal and in the litigation that would follow. Even if Eaton were to prevail on appeal, however, we believe we have substantial defenses and would expect to defend the claims vigorously.

Other

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is also involved in disputes, claims, lawsuits, and governmental and regulatory inquiries that it deems to be immaterial. Some may involve claims or potential claims of substantial damages, fines or penalties. While the Company cannot predict the outcome of any pending or future litigation or proceeding and no assurances can be given, the Company does not believe that any pending matter will have a material effect, individually or in the aggregate, on its financial position or results of operations.