Court re-opens Flexsys' case against Kumho, KKPC

Ohio - Following a ruling by the International Trade Commission, the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio has ordered that Flexsys' patent infringement action against Sinorgchem Sinorgchem, Kumho Tire USA, Inc., Kumho Tire Company, Inc., Korea Kumho Petrochemical Company, Ltd. and Sovereign Chemical Company, be reopened.

The Ohio case was opened over a year ago, but was put on hold while the ITC looked at the case. The ITC found that Sinorgchem and Sovereign had infringed Flexsys' patents, but ruled that KKPC and Kumho were not breaking US trade laws.

Flexsys alleges that the Kumho tyre companies are importing tyres that include products made using technology stolen from Flexsys. In the District Court case, Flexsys seeks money damages in the amount of $20 million and other relief. The case had been stayed (suspended) while a companion case was pending before the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

Based on the favorable ITC decision, Flexsys requested that the US District Court reopen the civil patent infringement case. The Flexsys request was granted by Judge Gaughan. The Judge's order is effective immediately.

“We did not bring this lawsuit casually. This technology is of strategic importance to Flexsys,” said Tim Wessel, Vice President, Antidegradants. “Flexsys has discovered, developed and commercialized this award winning and patented process and this has involved significant investments.”