Patents

Patent-based indicator provides better measurement of Innovation Strength

Ludwigshafen, Germany & Midland, MI - October 12, 2009 -- BASF SE (Deutsche Börse: BAS) and The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: Dow), the world's two largest chemical companies, today jointly announced their support for the Patent Asset Index, a new methodology that measures research and development (R&D) effectiveness, innovation strength and how these factors lead to sustained competitive advantage.

Findings based on 2008 results rank BASF first in the overall Patent Asset Index. Dow ranks first in a critical measurement of the Patent Asset Index - Competitive Impact™. These results show that BASF and Dow are among the most innovative companies in the global chemical industry.    » read more »

DuPont Affirms “Stacking” Can Occur Under Existing Monsanto License Agreement

ST. LOUIS, June 16, 2009 – DuPont today filed an answer and counterclaims to a recent Monsanto lawsuit that seeks to block farmers’ access to innovative new soybean lines from DuPont business Pioneer-Hi Bred. These soybeans would contain Pioneer’s proprietary Optimum® GAT® trait and -- through Monsanto’s royalty-bearing license agreement -- the Roundup Ready® trait.    » read more »

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., May 29, 2009 - Merck & Co., Inc. today provided the following statement regarding the decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to reexamine the SINGULAIR patent.

Reexamination is an administrative procedure within the PTO that can be initiated by any person. Essentially, if a potential new issue of invalidity is raised, the PTO will examine this issue and determine whether it should take any further action regarding the current claims of the patent. In the event that the PTO decides further action is warranted, it may amend or revoke the claims in the patent.    » read more »

Claims BASF is Infringing Patents Relating to Herbicide Tolerance Technology

Wilmington, Del., June 1, 2009 - DuPont today filed a lawsuit claiming BASF is infringing four patents relating to biotechnology traits similar to those used in DuPont’s proprietary Optimum® GAT® trait. The patents listed in the lawsuit confer tolerance to an herbicide class with excellent environmental characteristics known as ALS inhibitors and pertain to certain methods for controlling weeds. The lawsuit was filed today in U.S Federal Court in the District of Delaware.    » read more »

SAN DIEGO - May 20, 2009 - Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today stated that it is disappointed with the U.S. International Trade Commission's (ITC) final determination that Qualcomm's accused chip packages infringe two patents asserted by Tessera (patents '326 and '419), which it also found valid.

The ITC also issued a limited exclusion order banning Qualcomm and other respondents from importing into the United States the accused chip packages except to the extent those products are licensed.    » read more »

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 24, 2009 -- HP today announced that it has resolved patent violation issues with China-based Ninestar Image Co., Ltd. relating to HP 02 and HP 14 inkjet cartridges.(1)

As part of the settlement, Ninestar acknowledges that HP’s patents are valid and infringed, and has agreed to stop selling the cartridges in question in the United States and other countries where HP has corresponding patent rights. Additionally, the company has agreed to pay HP an undisclosed sum of money.    » read more »

Palo Alto, Calif., March 3, 2009 -- The following is a statement from Michael J. Holston, HP general counsel and executive vice president:

“HP welcomes today’s introduction of patent reform legislation in the House and Senate, and thanks Senators Patrick Leahy and Orrin Hatch and Congressmen John Conyers and Lamar Smith for championing improvements in our country’s patent system.    » read more »

CINCINNATI, Aug. 27, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) has filed a patent lawsuit against Kraft Foods Inc., manufacturer of the Maxwell House Coffee brand.

The lawsuit, filed in the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco, alleges that the new plastic container for Maxwell House coffee, now being introduced throughout the U.S., directly infringes key Procter & Gamble patents on Folgers Coffee.    » read more »

Getting to 100 Before 50

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 23, 2007 -- When Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) imaging scientist Bob Loce reaches his 50th birthday in October, he'll be celebrating more than one milestone. This summer he also received his 100th U.S. utility patent, a rare achievement that puts him among the ranks of Xerox's most inventive scientists.    » read more »