Update re Novamont S.p.A infringement claims
April 19 2010 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMSEO
RNS Number : 3640K
Stanelco PLC
19 April 2010
PRESS RELEASE
19th April 2010
Stanelco Plc
Update re Novamont S.p.A infringement claims against Biotec
Stanelco is pleased to announce that on 16 April 2010, a Paris Court notified
its Biotec subsidiary (which is jointly owned with Sphere SA "SPhere") of its
favourable finding in relation to patent infringement claims made by Novamont
S.p.A ("Novamont") a competing bioplastics business. This is the first court
finding on the merits of this case, and validates Stanelco's decision to mount a
robust defence of Biotec's technology.
Stanelco announced on 29 May 2007 that the Board were evaluating claims against
Biotec's technology made by Novamont. Subsequent updates have clarified that
Novamont had brought proceedings against Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen
GmbH & Co KG, Germany ("Biotec") and SPhere, France, and certain Group companies
of SPhere claiming infringement of the French and Italian designations of
Novamont's European Patent Numbers EP 0 327 505, EP 0 947 559 and EP 0 937 120
(the "Novamont Patents"). These actions were taken in the first instance by
Novamont in both the French court and in two courts in Italy (Milan and Turin).
Biotec has defended these claims on the basis that the claims in the Novamont
Patents relied on by Novamont are not infringed by Biotec and/or are invalid.
Biotec has also supported SPhere's costs in defending these claims.
The French Court notified Biotec on 16th April 2010 that its supply of its
Bioplast 106/02 product to SPhere in France did not infringe any of Novamont's
three patents and found one of Novamont's patents to be partially invalid.
It should be noted that this French court finding does not affect the cases
(referred to above) being pursued in Italy and that these may be expected to
continue over the following months. Further action by the claimant, Novamont,
by way of appeal in the French court is also possible.
Stanelco had advised previously on its website that its Preliminary Announcement
regarding its results for 2009 would be made on 22 April 2010. As a result of
this favourable finding in the French Court, the Preliminary Announcement will
now be made on 29 April 2010 to allow sufficient time for Stanelco's Board to
assess its significance for the company.
Paul Mines, Chief Executive of Stanelco plc commented:
"We are pleased that our efforts in defending Biotec's technology have been
validated by the first Court to hear this case. We would hope that this
positive result previews the findings of other Courts on this matter."
"Stanelco's subsidiaries, Biotec and Biome Bioplastics take the protection of
their own intellectual property seriously and always seek to operate their
businesses in a manner that avoids infringing the intellectual property of
others."
"This important finding will allow us to move forward with the ongoing
development of the business and gives a clear signal to the markets in which we
work."
Ends
Enquiries:
+----------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Paul Mines, Chief Executive, Stanelco | Tel: +44 (0) 2380 |
| plc | 867100 |
| Sue Bygrave, Group Finance Director, | |
| Stanelco plc | |
| | |
+----------------------------------------+--------------------+
| Jonathon Brill/Caroline Stewart, | Tel: +44 (0) 20 |
| Financial Dynamics | 7831 3113 |
| | |
+----------------------------------------+--------------------+
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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