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China's Patent Re-Examination Board of SIPO Rules in Favour of Neo Performance Materials in Invalidating Patent Claims of Rhodia Operations
China's Patent Re-Examination Board of SIPO Rules in Favour of Neo Performance Materials i...
About this update from Neo Performance Materials, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nChina's Patent Re-Examination Board of SIPO Rules in Favour of Neo Performance Materials in Invalidating Patent Claims of Rhodia Operations\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n.prntac{\nTEXT-ALIGN: CENTER\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\nTORONTO, April 23, 2018\n\n\n\nNeo to seek permission from the Court to appeal UK Business and Property Courts Decision and Will Continue to Develop Innovative Pollution Control Technologies with its Customers\n\n\n\nTORONTO, April 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Neo Performance Materials Inc. and Zibo Jiahua Advanced Material Resources Co., Ltd (collectively \"Neo\", \"the Company\") (TSX:NEO), a global leader in the innovation and manufacturing of rare earth and rare metal-based functional materials, is pleased to report that the Patent Reexamination Board (\"PRB\") of the State Intellectual Property Office of China (\"SIPO\") has ruled in favour of Neo by invalidating all claims associated with patent ZL 03817110.4, held by Rhodia Operations S.A.S, an affiliate of Brussels-based Solvay (\"Rhodia\"). In light of the favourable ruling by the PRB, Neo intends to seek a stay of Rhodia's pending lawsuit alleging infringement of patent ZL 03817110.4 before the Shandong Zibo Intermediate People's Court.  \n\nThe invalidated patent relates to certain vehicle emissions catalyst products, which Neo produces to help vehicle manufacturers and consumers reduce emissions from vehicle exhaust systems.  The demand in China for vehicle catalyst products is large and continues to grow significantly.\n\nThe patent invalidation by the PRB, which is subject to Rhodia's right of appeal, is one of five challenges filed by Neo before the PRB on automotive vehicle catalyst patents claimed by Rhodia and Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku Kogyo Co. (\"DKKK\"). Neo also is seeking revocation of European Patent 1527018, which is the European equivalent to Chinese Patent ZL 03817110.4. A decision by the European Patent Office on Neo's challenge to 1527018 is expected later this year.\n\nIn response to the PRB ruling, Neo's President and CEO, Geoff Bedford issue...