Leeds law firm wrapped up in High Court condom battle
A Leeds-based IP law firm, Kempner & Partners, has been hired to represent global condom manufacturer Ansell in a legal battle against consumer giant Reckitt Benckiser.
Kempner & Partners is representing the UK arm of Ansell in a patent infringement claim in relation to non-latex condoms against RB.
The lawsuit against the pharmaceutical giant is raging over patented technology owned by Ansell in the condom market.
The Leeds-based law firm will be representing Ansell UK in the lawsuit to protect the intellectual property used in its non-latex SKYN condoms.
It has already launched legal challenges against Reckitt Benckiser in the USA and Australia, and the UK action is the third in as many years as part of its “ongoing global strategy.”
The permanent injunction which the company is asking for will prevent RB infringing its patent for the condoms, or from importing the Durex Real Feel condoms into the UK or advertising them without the consent of Ansell.
Ansell is also seeking damages and the payment of its legal costs of the action.
Bill Reilly, senior vice president and corporate general counsel at Ansell, explained: “Ansell is a global leader in the development and commercialisation of condoms and surgical gloves utilising patented polyisoprene technology. The company has made significant R&D investments in this technology, and this lawsuit seeks to protect these investments.”
Richard Kempner, partner at Kempner & Partners (pictured right) said: “The selection process against tough competition that Ansell went through before choosing us for this case was very thorough: we were certainly well tested by them in terms of our patent litigation expertise, track record, ethos and strategy.”
