27 Oct 2011
DSM DYNEEMA LAYS DOWN LEGAL GAUNTLET;
REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH MAGID OVER MIS-USE OF DYNEEMA® BRAND
The Netherlands, October 27, 2011 - DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of very high strength Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber and owner of the Dyneema® brand, has agreed to a settlement with Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Company over Magid’s mis-use of the Dyneema® brand.
Magid, based in Chicago, IL, USA, was making unauthorized use of the Dyneema® trademark in relation to some cut resistant gloves that it produces and sells. DSM Dyneema promptly initiated legal action against Magid, and Magid has now agreed that it will refrain from any further inappropriate and unlicensed use of the Dyneema® brand and trademarks, with immediate effect.
Commenting on the agreement, DSM Dyneema President Gerard de Reuver said: “We are resolute in our imperative to protect our brand rights and will take immediate action against unauthorized users of our trademark anywhere in the world and in all end-user markets.”
“We are particularly vigilant regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where use of the wrong product could cause serious injury or worse. I am therefore pleased that Magid, a well-known supplier of products for the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) market, has now agreed to refrain from any further unauthorised use of our brand and trademarks.”
The UHMWPE fiber of DSM Dyneema is a premium material that has established itself in the cut-resistant gloves market for its excellent protective and long-wearing properties, coupled with the high levels of comfort it provides for the user. DSM has authorized only a limited number of leading glove producers around the world to make use of the Dyneema® brand, and it can only be used for products approved by the company.
“DSM Dyneema is committed to providing and improving its know-how as well as the performance and supply of Dyneema® products for the benefit of the market as a whole. We are duty-bound to protect the brand, to ensure that users can be confident they are getting a very high performance product when they see the name Dyneema® attached to it,” says de Reuver.
The Dyneema® name and logo are registered trademarks owned by DSM around the world. In Japan, DSM's joint venture partner Toyobo owns the trademark registration. The two companies are steadfast in their efforts to protect these valuable assets and take appropriate action whenever required.
De Reuver emphasizes: “No one can claim to be using Dyneema® material, or use the Dyneema® trademark, without proper authorisation. We want to make it clear that when end-users see our brand, they know it represents optimum safety and superb comfort. As we say, ‘Where performance matters, insist on the diamond.’”
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Notes for editors
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® is an Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® fiber floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema® is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema® is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.
UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com and www.gloves.dyneema.com.
DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM N.V. is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of over €9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ are trademarks of Royal DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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