ISELIN, N.J., Nov. 19,
2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ansell Ltd, a global leader in protection
solutions, today announced that on 14
November 2014 the Company and Ansell Healthcare Products LLC
(together "Ansell") filed a patent infringement lawsuit
against Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Limited ("Reckitt") and
other related parties ("Respondents"). The action, filed in
the New South Wales District Registry of the Federal Court of
Australia, asserts that Reckitt
has infringed Australian Patent No. 2009241426, titled "Dip-formed
Synthetic Polyisoprene Latex Articles with Improved Intraparticle
and Interparticle Crosslinks ("the Patent")."
The Patent was applied for on 27 April
2009 and granted on 6 September
2012. Since on or about October
2013, Reckitt has imported a competitive, non-latex condom
product branded with the name "Durex®
RealFeel™" into Australia. Ansell believes the "Durex
RealFeel" condom infringes a number of claims of the Patent,
resulting in damage to Ansell, including loss of sales to Ansell's
non-latex SKYN® condom product.
Ansell is requesting a final order restraining the Respondents
from, among other things, engaging in the following acts within
Australia during the term of the
Patent, without the licence or authority of Ansell:
- Importing the Durex RealFeel product into Australia;
- Selling, supplying or otherwise disposing of the Durex RealFeel
product in Australia; and
- Offering to sell, supply or otherwise dispose of the Durex
RealFeel product in Australia.
In addition, Ansell is seeking, among other orders:
- An order for delivery for destruction of all stocks of the
Durex RealFeel product in Australia that are in the possession, custody
or control of the Respondents;
- Damages or an account of profits, including additional damages
pursuant to section 122(1A) of the Patents Act 1990 (Cth)
and interest; and
- Its costs of the proceedings.
"Ansell is a global leader in the development and
commercialization of condoms and surgical gloves utilizing patented
polyisoprene technology," stated Jeyan
Heper, President and General Manager of the Ansell Sexual
Wellness Global Business Unit (GBU). "The Company has made
significant R&D investments in this technology and related
patents and this lawsuit seeks to protect these investments."
Ansell is represented by Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers Pty
Ltd.
About Ansell
Ansell is a world leader in providing
superior health and safety protection solutions that enhance human
well-being. With operations in North
America, Latin
America/Caribbean, EMEA and
Asia, Ansell employs 13,000 people
worldwide and holds leading positions in the personal protective
equipment and medical gloves market, as well as in the sexual
health and well-being category worldwide. Ansell operates in four
main business segments: Medical, Industrial, Single Use and Sexual
Wellness. Information on Ansell and its products can be found at
www.ansell.com.
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Ansell Limited or one of its
affiliates. © 2014 Ansell Limited. All Rights Reserved.
DUREX® RealFeel is a registered trademark
owned by LRC Products or one of its affiliates, including Reckitt
Benckiser or one of its affiliates.
SOURCE Ansell Ltd
