Patents - Infringement and Revocation: Glass and others v Freysinnet Ltd.
In Glass and Others v Freyssinet Ltd [2015] EWHC 2972 (IPEC) the inventors of a treatment process for concrete sued Freysinnet Ltd . ( "Freysinnet" ) for infringement of their patent in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. Freysinnet counterclaimed for revocation of the patent on grounds of anticipation and obviousness. The action and counterclaim came on before His Honour Judge Hacon. The Invention The technical problem that the patented invention addressed was summarized by Judge Hacon at paragraph [3] of his judgment: "Reinforced concrete is concrete containing bars made from another material, usually steel, which confer added strength (known as 'rebars'). The strength in compression of the concrete is complemented by the higher tensile strength and ductility of steel. Calcium hydroxide and alkaline salts within the concrete combine to create an iron oxide film on the surface of the steel which protects it from corrosion. That film may ...