Flexsys reopens $20m US patent infringement case

21 August 2006 13:50  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Flexsys America’s patent infringement action against Sinorgchem, Korea Kumho Petrochemical Company (KKPC), Kumho Tire USA and Kumho Tire Company has been reopened by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the company said.

 

In a statement dated 18 August, Flexsys alleged that the defendants Sinorgchem and KKPC infringed Flexsys process patents for producing 4-aminodiphenylamine (4-ADPA) and its PPD derivatives, and that the Kumho companies are importing tyres into the US that include those products. Flexsys is seeking damages of $20m (€15.5m).

 

In July the US International Trade Commission ITC found that the importation of Sinorgchem’s 4ADPA and 6PPD into the US violated section 337 of the Tariff Act. 

 

Although the ITC cleared KKPC of all charges of patent infringement in its July ruling, Flexsys is looking for a more favourable decision at the District Court.

 

KKPC and Flexsys have had a troubled competitive relationship. In April KKPC sued Flexsys, alleging that it had conspired to restrain trade and to fix the price of certain rubber chemical imports.

 

Flexsys is the world’s leading supplier of chemicals to the rubber processing and related industries. 

 

Seoul-based Kumho produces a variety of synthetic rubbers, rubber chemicals and polymers at its plants in South Korea.

 

By: Mark Watts
+44 20 8652 3214

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