The Korean Intellectual Property Tribunal has dismissed a patent suit brought against Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s (DSME’s) fuel gas supply system.
The suit was filed by DSME’s compatriot rivals Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries, which sought to nullify DSME’s patent for the fuel gas supply system that is used to power ships running on LNG and fuel oil. The tribunal handed down its judgement in early May.
DSME claimed that this invention has enabled it to win ship orders worth KRW10 trillion each year, noting that it was able to clinch orders for 35 LNG carriers in 2014 based on the merits of the fuel gas supply system.
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The system was patented in South Korea in 2010 and in Europe in 2011. In 2013 DSME also signed a licensing agreement with MAN Diesel & Turbo for the system.
DSME said, “DSME was recognised for its global technology and creativity [as a result of the litigation]. The patent validation of DSME’s technology of LNG fuel supply in Europe, South Korea, and the United States led to reaffirm the global competitiveness of the company.”
The Korean tribunal’s decision comes after the European Patent Office dismissed a similar action brought by the two companies and French ship parts maker Cryostar SAS in April 2014.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.