("Patent Office Ends Re-Examination Of Star Scientific Patents,"
published at 5:23 p.m. EDT, included an incorrect date in the
fourth paragraph. The correct version follows:)
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has ended its
re-examination of two patents requested by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
Co., saying Star Scientific Inc. (CIGX), the patent owner, failed
to follow procedure.
Star said late Friday that it disagreed with the agency's action
"in the strongest possible terms" and is moving to reopen the
re-examination process.
It pointed out that the patent office didn't end the
re-examination because the claims were found to be invalid. "The
firm is confident that the petitions to reinstate the proceedings
will be granted so that the claims can be evaluated on their
merits," Star said.
RJR, a unit of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), requested the
re-examination of two patents in January 2009.
The companies have been battling in federal court over Star's
patents for a method of curing tobacco that reduces some toxins in
the end product. The company has appealed a judgment that resulted
from a jury verdict last June that RJR didn't infringe on Star's
patents.
RJR didn't immediately return a request for comment.
Star's shares closed at $1.72 and Reynolds closed at $53.40.
Neither stock was active after hours.
-By Kathy Shwiff, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2357;
kathy.shwiff@dowjones.com