ISELIN, N.J.—Ansell Ltd. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Reckitt Beckiser Pty. Ltd. and other related parties in the New South Wales District Registry of the Federal Court of Australia.
The firm said that it and its Ansell Healthcare Products L.L.C. subsidiary asserts that Reckitt has infringed Australian Patent No. 2009241426—“Dip-formed Synthetic Polyisoprene Latex Articles with Improved Intraparticle and Interparticle Crosslinks,” in the suit, filed Nov. 14.
“Ansell is a global leader in the development and commercialization of condoms and surgical gloves utilizing patented polyisoprene technology,” Jeyan Heper, president and general manager of the Ansell Sexual Wellness global business unit, said in a statement. “The company has made significant research and development investments in this technology and related patents, and this lawsuit seeks to protect these investments.”
Ansell said the patent was applied for on April 27, 2009 and granted on Sept. 6, 2012. The firm said Reckitt has imported a competitive, non-latex condom product branded with the name Durex RealFeel into Australia since on or about October 2013.
Ansell said it believes the “Durex RealFeel” condom infringes a number of claims of the patent, resulting in damage to Ansell, including a loss of sales to Ansell's non-latex Skyn condom product.
Ansell said it is requesting a final order restraining Reckitt from engaging in the following acts within Australia during the term of the patent, without the license or authority of Ansell:
• Importing the Durex RealFeel into Australia;
• Selling, supplying or otherwise disposing of the Durex RealFell product in Australia; and
• Offering to sell, supply or otherwise dispose of the Durex RealFeel product in Autralia.
In addition, Ansell said it is seeking, among other orders:
• An order for delivery for destruction of all stocks of the Durex RealFeel product in Australia that are in the possession, custody or control of Reckitt;
• Damages or an account of profits, including additional damages pursuant to section 122(1A) of the Patents Act 1990 and interest; and
• Its costs of the proceedings.
Ansell said it is represented by Spruson & Ferguson Lawyers Pty. Ltd.