A Chinese firm that makes self-balancing two wheeled scooter-like vehicles has bought its US rival Segway only months after being accused of copying its signature two-wheelers.

According to Agence France, the Chinese company Ninebot founder Wang Ye recently said the acquisition was made mainly because of two reasons of Segway, its patent power and brand reputation.

Segway, founded by the inventor of the quirky vehicles, last year sought U.S. government action against Ninebot and several other Chinese manufacturers, alleging "violation" of its patents.

Ninebot said on a verified social media account that it had purchased "100%" of the New Hampshire-based firm, without stating how much the deal was worth. "We believe this acquisition is very meaningful for a new generation of Chinese innovation to spread out to the world, and for China to move from manufacturing to invention," it said on China's Sina Weibo.

The US International Trade Commission in Washington shows on its website that Segway in November filed a complaint listing six manufacturers it accused of infringing its patents, among them Ninebot.

Ninebot also announced Wednesday that it had received an $80 million investment from Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi.

(Source: Asia IP)