i have not been around this stock in 12 months or so and not...

i have not been around this stock in 12 months or so and not traded it either, missed the bottom but volume has picked up so its back on watch.my question relates to the fact that in my travels last year or so i keep coming across coal stocks and the like that are using similar techniques to dry their coal ! not exactly the same but whats does esi ip protect exactly .i mean for example one company is proposing to use thermal drying but basically the idea is to relieve the coal of moisture . anyway not trying to cause a stir as i am attempting to get back in for a trade but as i say lights are going off in my head and traded in the past thinking we/esi had sole rights on coal drying but in reality probably only on the technique of using existing powerplants heat of the stack so to speak to dry at low cost .anyway ty in advance