PITTSBURGH — Calgon Carbon Corp. said this week that a federal court has declared invalid the company's patent on the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to prevent Cryptosporidium contamination of drinking water.
In a July 3 press release, Calgon Carbon said it would "vigorously" appeal the ruling, which was made on a motion for summary judgment before the US District Court for the District of New Jersey.
A Canadian appeals court recently had ruled in favor of the company's UV patent in that nation by overruling a lower court, but the company says there is no assurance that a similar result will occur in the appeal of the US case.
Of the US case, John Stanik, president and CEO of Calgon Carbon, was quoted in the press release as saying, "We are, of course, disappointed with the ruling, but recognize that patent issues are complex and are often resolved in the higher courts."
A recent article in the Pittsburgh Business Times said that Calgon Carbon holds patents in 26 countries on the use of UV for drinking water disinfection, noting that the New Jersey case involves three companies disputing Calgon Carbon's patent, among them Wedeco, a division of ITT Industries, Inc.
A Calgon Carbon spokeswoman was quoted by the Pittsburgh Business Times as saying that Calgon Carbon will continue to sell UV technology, but the New Jersey decision for now prevents the company from charging others a licensing fee for its use.
Calgon Carbon, based in Pittsburgh, says on its Web site that the patented UV technology, developed in 1996, is the basis of its Sentinel® UV Disinfection System, which the company calls "a landmark technology for the control of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and waterborne, pathogenic bacteria and viruses."
In a recent company statement reported by Water Tech Online, Calgon Carbon had said that its UV technology was among its stronger performers in first-quarter 2006 sales.
To read the July 3 Calgon Carbon press release, click here.
To read the Pittsburgh Business Times article, click here.
For related information on this story, click here.
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