Celgard Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit
February 25 2013 - 8:06AM
Celgard, LLC ("Celgard"), a subsidiary of Polypore International,
Inc. (NYSE:PPO), has filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court
of the Western District of North Carolina against Sumitomo Chemical
Company, Limited.
The complaint alleges that Sumitomo Chemical has infringed
Celgard's United States Patent No. 6,432,586 issued for an
invention entitled, "Separator for a High Energy Rechargeable
Lithium Battery." The patent in the lawsuit covers ceramic
composite layer lithium-ion battery separators first developed by
Celgard for high-energy rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. This
lawsuit has been filed after a period in which Celgard attempted to
resolve its concerns with Sumitomo Chemical over infringement of
Celgard's patent.
"Celgard has a long history of innovation in lithium-ion battery
separators and is a world leader in this technology," said Robert
B. Toth, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Polypore. "We have a responsibility to our customers, partners, and
shareholders to safeguard the investments we make in innovation,
and therefore will take appropriate steps like this to prevent the
knowing and unfair exploitation of our intellectual property."
Celgard is represented by the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend &
Stockton, LLP.
About Polypore International, Inc.
Polypore International, Inc. is a global high technology
filtration company specializing in microporous membranes.
Polypore's flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes are used in
specialized applications that require the removal or separation of
various materials from liquids, primarily in the ultrafiltration
and microfiltration markets. Based in Charlotte, NC, Polypore
International, Inc. is a market leader with manufacturing
facilities or sales offices in ten countries serving six
continents. See www.polypore.net.
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CONTACT: Polypore International, Inc.
Corporate Communications
Beth Kitteringham
(704) 587-8596
polycorpcom@polypore.net