Federal appeals court refuses to reopen Flexsys patent infringement lawsuit

Washington DC - The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has denied a petition from Flexsys America LP, asking it to order a lower court to reopen a $20 million patent infringement lawsuit against several Asian companies.

Flexsys sued Sinorgchem Co. Shandong, Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Kumho Tire USA Inc. and Kumho Tire Co. Inc. in Cleveland federal district court, accusing those companies of infringing Flexsys´ patents on the antidegradant 6PPD and its feedstock, 4-ADPA.

Sinorgchem, however, won a stay of that lawsuit from the Cleveland court while the Federal Circuit considers its appeal of an International Trade Commission ruling that bars Sinorgchem from selling 6PPD and 4-ADPA in the US.

The Federal Circuit has scheduled oral arguments on the Sinorgchem appeal for 5 Sept., according to Manni Li, a Los Angeles attorney representing the company.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)