31 Jan 2012
DSM DYNEEMA SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVES PATENT INFRINGEMENT DISPUTE IN THE UK
The Netherlands, January 31, 2012 - DSM Dyneema has announced that it has successfully concluded its patent infringement dispute with Miclin Ltd. and J&D Wilkie Ltd. (Kirriemuir/UK), trading under the Jack Ellis brand. The case, which was brought before the Patents Court of the High Court in London, resulted in a settlement, details of which were not made public.
The DSM Dyneema patent dispute with the Jack Ellis parent company - Miclin Ltd., until the company was acquired by J&D Wilkie Ltd. – centered on an alleged infringement of a DSM Dyneema patent on polyethylene (PE) based pressed products, patent number EP 0833742B2. Polyethylene based pressed products are used in several applications such as panels for vehicle armouring and protective inserts for vests, as used by military and law enforcement officers to stop high-energy rifle rounds.
According to DSM Dyneema President Gerard de Reuver, the dispute has been settled to DSM Dyneema’s satisfaction. “We are very pleased with the outcome of this action. DSM Dyneema as innovator protects its inventions through intellectual property rights. We cannot accept misuse of these rights. We therefore are highly vigilant in identifying activities that could threaten DSM Dyneema’s drive to innovate and to deliver value to our business partners who benefit from these innovations.”
Mr de Reuver added: “The UK market is of importance to DSM Dyneema. UK based companies have worked for many years with Dyneema® solutions, both for the local market and export into Europe and beyond.”
The DSM Dyneema patent portfolio consists of well over 100 inventions protected by over 500 filed patents and patent applications worldwide and is continuously expanding.
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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.lifeprotection.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.
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