Severstal North America Granted Favorable Patent Decision
05/12/2011 - Severstal North America has achieved a favorable decision in a patent reexamination proceeding regarding United States Patent 6564,604, owned by ArcelorMittal.
Severstal North America has achieved a favorable decision in a patent reexamination proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) brought by Severstal regarding United States Patent 6564,604, owned by ArcelorMittal.
The patent concerns technology used in the production of aluminum-coated, boron-bearing carbon steel, the end use for which is predominantly in high-strength automotive applications. While Severstal does not believe it infringes any of the claims, the company says it initiated the patent reexamination to allay the concerns of its customers.
"While ArcelorMittal may appeal this latest ruling, we are confident and pleased with the decision made by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in this matter," said Sergei Kuznetsov, CEO of Severstal North America. "We have complete confidence in our ability to produce and sell these products, and we are looking forward to better meeting the needs of our automotive customers as a result of this decision," continued Kuznetsov.
As a result of the decision, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office affirmed its earlier ruling and has now held that all of the claims of the ArcelorMittal patent are held unpatentable for multiple reasons. Severstal indicated that, in anticipation of this decision, it has already developed the necessary expertise to provide aluminum coated boron-bearing carbon steel per the specifications of the automotive manufacturers.
Severstal North America, a major steelmaker in the United States, specializes in the full range of high quality light flat rolled products. Fully integrated operations and corporate headquarters are located in Dearborn, Mich., and a new state-of-the-art electric arc furnace operation in Columbus, Miss., serves the growing demand for steel in the southeastern United States. Severstal North America also has several joint ventures for high quality, value-added coated products, as well as a jointly owned coke-making facility Mountain State Carbon. Severstal North America is a wholly-owned subsidiary of OAO Severstal, one of the world's largest vertically integrated steel and mining companies.
