Exxon patent violation: Mobil to appeal

24 August 1998 00:00  [Source: ACN]

Mobil Chemical said it will appeal a decision by a US district court judge in the next few weeks that it violated an Exxon Chemical patent for metallocene catalysts.

Exxon was awarded US$171m in damages for infringement of its '800 patent for metallocene catalyst. In the lawsuit filed in November 1996, Exxon claimed Mobil used its patented technology to develop its own process. Mobil is still waiting for a court date for a similar lawsuit it filed against Exxon over metallocene technology.

Exxon said the court's decision validates its belief that its technology joint venture Univation has the broadest and most comprehensive portfolio of metallocene patents.

'Mobil does not market any metallocene products allegedly covered by an Exxon patent,' said Raymond McGowan, president Mobil Chemical. 'If Exxon prevails in receiving damages based on the potential future value of technology, this case could undermine legitimate research through out the petrochemicals industry.'

The '800 patent covers a variety of substituted metallocene compounds activated by alumoxanes, Exxon said.

Mobil insists that its catalysts are substantially different than that covered by Exxon's '800 patent. Mobil had its first patent for metallocene technology in 1991 and now has a total of 18 patents covering the technology.

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