The Textile Effects division of Huntsman Corporation (HYSE: HUN) today announced it has obtained an order from the High Court of Mumbai against Kiri Dyes & Chemicals Ltd, a manufacturer of reactive dyes in India, for infringing a patent belonging to Huntsman. In his ex-parte order dated May 7, 2009, Judge A. P. Deshpande prohibits Kiri from marketing or selling Reactive Super Black G that violates Huntsman's patent on Huntsman's NOVACRON(R) Super Black G dye, pending a full hearing. Huntsman's patent was duly registered with the Indian Patent Office in 2008 for a true innovation for producing deep black shades.
Kiri's counterfeit Reactive Super Black G product had been found at several textile mills in Asian countries. Samples of the infringing products were collected and analyzed by independent laboratories to substantiate the alleged patent infringement.
Huntsman is fully committed to protecting its intellectual property rights in all countries and will continue its efforts to ensure that any infringements are legally pursued.
The court order sets an important precedent in India and encourages innovative companies like Huntsman to continue investing a significant portion of their turnover in research and development of new products that contribute to improving the sustainability of textiles through better fastness properties, higher durability and functionality.