Mars Defense of Flavanol Patent Portfolio Successful
Posted on October 13, 2010 by Lizz
Mars, Incorporated has successfully defended its cocoa flavanol patent portfolio in a recent lawsuit against flavanol extract supplier Naturex, maker of the CocoActiv product, and against flavanol supplement manufacturers Nutraceutical Corp., seller of Solaray(TM) products, and Life Extension Foundation, seller of Cocoa Gold(TM) products. A suit was filed in the US District Court in Alexandria, VA against these companies earlier this year for infringement of nine cocoa flavanol related US patents owned by Mars. These companies have agreed that these patents are valid and enforceable and they each will stop further sales and uses of the products that were accused of infringement in the lawsuit.
Mars uses the patented Cocoapro(R) process to make Cirku(TM) cocoa flavanol supplement products. For nearly two decades, Mars has been studying the process of measuring and maximizing the retention of cocoa flavanols and uncovering their related health benefits, resulting in over 100 scientific publications and a broad patent portfolio. This suit is consistent with the long-standing commitment at Mars to vigorously protect its intellectual property.
Mars Symbioscience is a global health & life sciences segment of Mars, Incorporated focused on delivering evidence-based science. An idea incubator headquartered in Rockville, Md., U.S., Mars Symbioscience works on innovative solutions that change the way we care for ourselves and the natural world. Through its business units, Mars Botanical, Mars Veterinary and Mars Plantcare, Mars Symbioscience produces brands including WISDOM PANEL(TM), CIRKU(TM), SERAMIS(R), Cocoapro(R), Cocoavia(R) and MYCOCOAPAPER.
Mars Symbioscience is a segment of Mars, Incorporated, a private, family-owned company employing more than 65,000 associates in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world's largest food companies, generating global sales of more than $28 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. In addition to its Symbioscience brands, other popular Mars, Incorporated brands include Chocolate -- M&M'S(R), SNICKERS(R), DOVE(R), GALAXY(R), MARS(R), MILKY WAY(R) and TWIX(R); Petcare -- PEDIGREE(R), WHISKAS(R), SHEBA(R), CESAR(R), NUTRO(R), GREENIES(R) and ROYAL CANIN(R); Wrigley -- ORBIT(R), EXTRA(R), STARBURST(R), DOUBLEMINT(R) and SKITTLES(R); Food -- UNCLE BEN'S(R), DOLMIO(R), EBLY(R), MASTERFOODS(R) and SEEDS OF CHANGE(R); Drinks -- KLIX(R) and FLAVIA(R). For more information, please visit www.mars.com.
