Strix Group PLC Successful Patent and IP Protection (9442O)
23 May 2018 - 4:00PM
UK Regulatory
TIDMKETL
RNS Number : 9442O
Strix Group PLC
23 May 2018
Strix Group Plc
("Strix" or the "Group")
Successful Patent and IP Protection
Strix Group Plc (AIM: KETL), the AIM listed global leader in the
design, manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls and other
complementary water temperature management components, is pleased
to provide an update on its patent protection strategy.
Strix has a portfolio of intellectual property protecting a
variety of product features across its product range. The portfolio
includes over 150 patents and Strix relies on these and, where they
have expired, other IP and unfair competition law to take legal
action, both to defend the Company's commercial position and ensure
consumer safety. Examples of action taken in the last six months in
China and Europe include:
-- As detailed in the recent Preliminary Results
announcement, the China domestic market
has seen an increase in electronic multi-cooker
appliances and Strix will launch a revised
control in H2 2018 to secure a share of
this growth opportunity whilst continuing
to defend its existing patented technology.
Against this background, Strix brought
patent infringement claims against 19 appliances
sold by Bears Electric Appliances Co.,
Ltd to the Shanghai IP Court which was
successfully settled as set out below.
-- In an example highlighting the different
ways the Company can protect its position
concerning its older products, Strix brought
a claim based on copyright law against
Adriaanse Import & Export B.V. and Edco
Eindhoven B.V. who had imported kettles
into the Netherlands which, according to
Strix, incorporated copies of its controls
and connectors. The parties subsequently
settled matters as set out below.
-- Strix continues to monitor growing internet
product sales and takes action where appropriate.
The Company recently brought complaints
of electronic kettle patent infringement
to the attention of Amazon which swiftly
resulted in five webpages being removed
from their platforms across Europe. One
vendor, Kinden, settled with Strix as set
out below, agreed to replace the alleged
infringing electronic kettle control with
a Strix product and has since been re-listed.
Mark Bartlett, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"We take protecting our innovative technology and superior
products very seriously, ensuring that customers can continue to
trust and rely on products using Strix technology.
"We continually monitor appliances in the market to prevent the
sale of products that do not meet international standards or that
infringe our IP. We will continue to take further action, as
appropriate, reinforcing our market leading brand and ensuring that
consumers can benefit from safe, high quality products."
For further enquiries, please contact:
Strix Group Plc
Mark Bartlett (CEO) 01624 829
Raudres Wong (CFO) 829
Zeus Capital Limited (Nominated
Adviser)
Nick Cowles / Jamie Peel / Jordan
Warburton (Corporate Finance)
Dominic King (Corporate Broking) 020 3829 5000
IFC Advisory Limited (Financial
PR & IR)
Graham Herring / Tim Metcalfe /
Heather Armstrong 020 3934 6630
Notes to Editors:
Bears agreed settlement text:
Strix brought a patent infringement claim against Bears Electric
Appliances Co., Ltd. (also known as Xiao Xiong Electric) who have
been manufacturing and selling electronic appliances in the
People's Republic of China that incorporated controls and
connectors that Strix believed infringed its China patent no.
00802943.1. The two parties reached a settlement through friendly
consultations and Strix and Xiao Xiong Electric signed an agreement
whereby Xiao Xiong Electric undertook to fit Strix controls and
connectors to its range of electronic appliances and to no longer
purchase controls and connectors from other suppliers that
infringed Strix's patent. Furthermore, Xiao Xiong Electric
undertook to pay compensation to Strix who agreed in turn to apply
to the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court of the People's
Republic of China to withdraw the indictment with the case number
2018H73MC43.
Edco agreed settlement text:
Strix brought a claim against Adriaanse Import & Export B.V.
and Edco Eindhoven B.V (Edco) who imported kettles into the
Netherlands which, according to Strix, incorporated copy controls
of the original Strix controls which infringed Dutch IP law. The
parties settled matters and Edco agreed to pay an undisclosed sum
to Strix.
Kinden agreed settlement text:
Strix brought a patent infringement claim against Shenzhen
Aotuer Technology Co. Ltd. (also known as Kinden) who imported
kettles into the UK, Germany and France and sold them via Amazon
that incorporated controls and connectors that infringed Strix's
European patent EP1858297B1 and also its Chinese patent
ZL00802943.1 where the kettles were made and exported. The parties
settled matters and Kinden agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to
Strix and undertook to cease and desist from infringing Strix's
intellectual property in the future.
About Strix Group plc
Isle of Man based Strix, is a global leader in the design,
manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls and other
components and devices involving water heating and temperature
control, steam management and water filtration.
Strix's core product range comprises a variety of safety
controls for small domestic appliances, primarily kettles. Kettle
safety controls require precision engineering and intricate
knowledge of material properties in order to repeatedly function
correctly. Strix has built up market leading capability and
know-how in this field since being founded in 1982.
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END
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