Here's a little summary of what we have at Alexium!
Our patents exist and cover 'method' or 'process', both the 'method' or 'process' still cover today's method.
Here's a few GRANTED patents, that are still current today.
ASX/MEDIA RELEASE
ALEXIUM’S SMART SURFACE TECHNOLOGY GRANTED PATENT FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, CHINA __________________________________________________________
Alexium International Group Limited, listed (“Alexium”) listed on the Australian (ASX:AJX) and Frankfurt (AX:AJX) Stock Exchanges is pleased to announce that the Patents Registry for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China has approved its application and issued Patent No. 07110131.2 for the company's “method of attachment of silicon-containing compounds to a surface”.
“This announcement follows our successful UK patent grant earlier this year commented Steve Ribich, CEO of Alexium. “Asia’s continued economic growth, its increasing dominance in manufacturing and its appetite for cleaner, sustainable, advanced technologies presents excellent opportunities for Alexium. Building a strong, comprehensive intellectual property portfolio around our award winning technology is a critical component of our business strategy and the grant of this patent is an important step forward.”
About Alexium
Alexium International Group Limited (ASX:AJX) (ISIN AU000000AJX6) ( WKN A1CTT8) ( E7T) holds proprietary granted patents, exclusive licences and patent applications for a process developed initially in the US Department of Defence , which allows for the surface modification and attachment of nano particles or multiple chemical functional groups to surfaces or substrates to provide functions such as water proofing, oil proofing, anti microbial, non-stick and UV protection. Applications under development include but are not limited to textiles, paints, packaging, glass and building materials.
ALEXIUM’S SMART SURFACE TECHNOLOGY GRANTED PATENT IN SINGAPORE
Perth, Western Australia, Greer, South Carolina, ("Alexium") (ASX:AJX) and Frankfurt (AX:AJX) Stock Exchanges announced today that the Singapore patent office has granted Alexium a patent for the “Method for Attachment of Silicon-containing Compounds to a Surface and for the Synthesis of Hypervalent Silicon-compounds” (Singapore Patent No: 140732).
Following equivalent patent grants in the UK and Hong Kong, China (SAR), this patent grant further bolsters Alexium’s intellectual property portfolio.
Alexium COO and Executive Director Stefan Susta said this patent award recognizes the unique technical advantages Alexium’s technology has over conventional treatment processes.
“As we progress the commercialization of this technology and develop a series of products with our licensing partners, protecting our intellectual property and extending it in strategic areas will remain a key component of our overall business strategy,” he said.
“Asia’s continued economic growth, its increasing dominance in manufacturing and its appetite for cleaner, sustainable, advanced technologies presents excellent opportunities for Alexium. To have this patent granted in both Singapore and Hong Kong SAR is a valuable platform for our business.”
PATENT GRANTED IN AUSTRALIA FOR ALEXIUM’s SMART SURFACE TECHNOLOGY
Perth, WA and Greer, South Carolina, Alexium International Group Limited (Alexium) (ASX:AJX, AX:AJX, OTC QX:AXXIY) announced today that the Australian patent office has granted a patent for the “Method for Attachment of Silicon-containing Compounds to a Surface and for Synthesis of Hypervalent Silicon-compounds” (Australia Patent No. 2006290509).
This patent award follows equivalent patent grants in other global territories, further bolstering Alexium’s intellectual property portfolio.
“We view the patent award as another validation of our unique technology platform. We are pleased to see that we are continuing to expand our patent portfolio at a time when we are looking to expand commercial relationships around the globe.” remarked Stefan Susta, COO and Executive Director of Alexium.
This patent award follows the recently announced contract with the US Air Force and the signing of a contract with Duro Textiles for fire retardant nylon treatments.
ALEXIUM OBTAINS ABILITY TO EXPAND INTO CHINA WITH PATENT PROTECTION
Alexium secures Chinese patent rights.
Alexium obtains ability to expand in China without competition.
Alexium increases its patent portfolio to reach out to global marketplace.
Perth, WA and Greer, South Carolina, Alexium International Group Limited (Alexium) (ASX:AJX, AX:AJX, OTC QX:AXXIY) announced today that the Chinese patent office has accepted for patent grant Alexium’s “Method for Attachment of Silicon-containing Compounds to a Surface and for Synthesis of Hypervalent Silicon-compounds” (Chinese Patent Application No: 200680033595.4). The Chinese patent award follows patents in Europe, the U.K., Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Additional patent applications are pending in other global territories.
China is an important market with growing sophistication in smart textile and materials. The textile industry continues to be one of China’s pillar industries and commands more than 15% of the nearly USD 400 billion global textile market. Chinese textiles exports have quadrupled since the year 2000, and China is now the world’s largest exporter of textile products, with about 30% global market share at over USD 76 billion.
With its Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) technology, Alexium is addressing global market gaps in textile applications, building materials, composite fabrics, and other materials that require high-end performance, environmentally friendly chemistries, and/or novel microwave curing methods. Alexium’s RST technology allows for the treatment of a wide range of materials, including those with chemically inert surfaces, textiles, composites and building materials – imparting water and oil repellency, antimicrobial, flame protection, or other functions using an energy efficient microwave process.
“The growing IP portfolio is strengthening Alexium’s ability to expand into key markets around the globe. Combined with improving financials and the commercial roll-out of its novel flame retardant chemistry, Alexium is well positioned for a very successful year.” remarked Nicholas Clark, Chief Executive Officer.
We have over 20 patents in 9 different countries, there are 3 pending on flame retardants for our newer products, these last three will "specifically relate to flame retardant chemical treatments and emulsions and overlap with the existing library," this IMO means they've updated their patents to make sure no one can infringe on our methods, remember the person who would be designing the patent would be doctor BoB, after all his DoD work, I'm sure the patents are airtight!
Puting a patent on a process or method, covers you heaps better IMO than using one of the other 3 'principal categories', I'm sure most everyone who has gone through this patent questioning before by some that I personally find undesirable, realise we are covered for the 'method' in which we apply our technology, this is what makes us different from the rest, it's a very cheap process that allows us to use better chemicals (non toxic), that's why the company says.
From the March Moelis report.
IP portfolio protects AJX’s position as only safe player
AJX has an extensive IP portfolio with over 20 patents in 9 countries and 3 patent applications are pending. Those 3 applications specifically relate to flame retardant chemical treatments and emulsions and overlap with the existing patent library. No other player has environmentally friendly flame retardant chemistry with minimal impact to other properties while meeting the customer needs. Most competitors are still producing brominated or halogenated products and at a higher price point to customers as more chemicals need to be used to achieve the same result. AJX is of the view that safe flame retardant chemicals would be very difficult to replicate without a company infringing on one or more of its patents. The current patents are for ~20 years, no current patent has <16 years to expiry and they cover all markets AJX currently operates and seeks to enter.
"Alexium holds over 20 patents across nine countries for a process developed initially by the U.S. Department of Defense, which allows surfaces to become fire retardant, water proof and oil proof."
In United States patent law, a method, also called "process", is one of the four principal categories of things that may be patented through "utility patents". The other three are a machine, an article of manufacture (also termed a manufacture), and a composition of matter.
In that context, a method is a series of steps for performing a function or accomplishing a result. While the terms method and processare largely interchangeable, method usually refers to a way to use a product to accomplish a given result, and processusually refers to a series of steps in manufacture. Thus, one might speak about a method for curing headaches that comprises the administration of a therapeutically effective dose of aspirin or speak about a process for making soap or candles.
Not all methods, in the dictionary sense, are methods for purposes of United States patent law. The case law"forecloses a purely literal reading of § 101." The concept is elaborated in the article machine-or-transformation test.
Previously, a method patent claim could be infringed only when a single person or entity practices all claimed steps. Neither a physical device, such as a product that can be used to practice the method, nor instructions for practicing the method, are infringing until they are used by a single person to perform all the steps together. This rule was changed in Akamai Tech. v. Limelight Networks (Fed. Cir. 2012). That case, however, was granted an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was decided and the circuit court ruling was reversed on Monday, June 2, 2014 (docket number 12-786).
The European Patent Convention does not mention method patents (called process patents) so prominently, and the same applies to the TRIPS Agreement. The prime characteristic of process patents in these treaties is that "the protection conferred by the patent shall extend to the products directly obtained by such process". Art. 28(1)(b) TRIPS provides a similar rule. This shows the historical background of process patents in chemistry, where there was a need to protect new processes to manufacture known substances.
In short, we have all the patent protection we need, and them some (as stated above in the Moelis report), we'll continually need to revise our patents moving forward as we devise either new methodology or chemicals solutions.
There's plenty of proof the patents exist (we've been over it several times now) and seem to be working fine, as we've had an explosion in customer acquisition, meaning our competitors don't have what we do, a clear cut cheap method of applying non halogenated environmentally friendly FR solutions.
A bit about DR BoB Brookings and how he specialises in "new polymerization methods," and these 'METHODS' IMO are what's covered in the patents.
Dr. Robert Brookins, also known as Bob, Ph.D., M.A.E. B.A. B.Sc., serves as Vice President of R&D at Alexium International Group Limited. Dr. Brookins served as Head of Research and Development at Alexium International Group Limited. Dr. Brookins served as the Head of Research, Development and Training at Alexium International Group Limited since July 1, 2013. Dr. Brookins served as the Chief Technology Officer of Alexium International Group Limited since August 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013. Dr. Brookins served as the Chief Technology Officer at Alexium Inc. a subsidiary of Alexium International Group Limited. He has experience in organic synthesis, materials chemistry, and chem/bio decontamination. Upon completion of his PhD, he worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Tyndall AFB, FL where he developed decontamination methods for chemical and biological threats, and developed novel synthetic routes for reactive and/or functional surfaces. He received his PhD from the University of Florida under research advisor Dr. John R. Reynolds. Dr. Brookins' graduate work was in the synthesis and characterization of conjugated poly electrolytes and polymers with an emphasis on developing new polymerization methods.
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