Last checked at 19 Apr 2010 07:00
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 plc Sue Bygrave, Group Finance Director, Stanelco plc
| Tel: +44 (0) 2380 867100
|
| Jonathon Brill/Caroline Stewart, Financial Dynamics | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113
|