Flexsys settles with Sovereign in 6PPD case

Brussels - Flexsys America LP has settled its patent infringement action with Sovereign Chemical Company (“Sovereign”) that is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. Sovereign is the distributor for Sinorgchem Co., Shandong (“Sinorgchem”) which makes a material called 4-ADPA using a process that Flexsys claims infringes patents taken out by Monsanto and now owned by Flexsys.

In a statement, Flexsys said it is still proceeding with legal action against Sinorgchem, Kumho Tire USA, Inc., Kumho Tire Company, Inc. (Korea), and Korea Kumho Petrochemical Company, Ltd. (“KKPC”).

In related news, Sovereign has filed a public document which claims that Sovereign has been harmed by Sinorgchem's conduct. Specifically it alleges that Sinorgchem told Sovereign - and intended Sovereign to believe the claims and rely upon them - that the products purchased by Sovereign would be free from infringement of any valid US patents.

The US International Trade Commission has determined that the products sold by Sinorgchem infringed on the patents of Flexsys.