Merck Patent GmbH, the intellectual property holding company of Merck KGaA Germany, today announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against CQV Co., Ltd. of Korea and its distributor Sungmin Chemicals for unspecified damages. The lawsuit follows attempts by Merck to resolve its concerns with the Korean pigment producer over infringement of Merck's patents for pigments with unique natural gold-like effects. The suit was filed in the District Court of Seoul, Republic of Korea.
"We have filed this case for very good reasons. We were forced to do so because Merck's intellectual property is being knowingly and unfairly exploited," said Peter Halas, Head of the Pigments & Cosmetics business unit at Merck. "Respect for IP is fundamental for innovation-driven businesses such as effect pigments, and Merck is committed to protecting and forcing its property rights".
Merck holds approximately 24,000 patents and patent applications, including 7.500 for its Performance Materials chemicals division. Patent protection is a necessity for companies such as Merck that are built on innovation.
More information on the products can be found at www.merck-pigments.com
Merck is one of the world's leading suppliers of effect pigments for the coatings, plastics, printing, cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries. Effect pigments underscore the emotional impact of color and are an important design element when creating surfaces with special impressions or qualities. Application possibilities range from cars to packaging and high-tech products up to building facades. In addition to decorative effect pigments, Merck offers pigments that also have functional applications such as heat-reflecting or anti-counterfeiting pigments.
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Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 9.3 billion in 2010, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.
