Date 2015-01-29
BASF protects fipronil patent in Australia Melbourne, Australia – January 28, 2015 -Sherwood Chemicals acknowledges infringement of BASF patent -Sherwood Chemicals agrees to refrain from recommending or promoting the method for the treatment of ants claimed in BASF’s fipronil patent -Sherwood Chemicals agrees to make a settlement payment to BASF and publish corrective advertisements -Fipronil protects Australian crops and homes against devastating insect pests -BASF continues to invest in R&D as part of its overall commitment to growers, agriculture and food security Sherwood Chemicals Australasia Pty Ltd (‘Sherwood Chemicals’) has reached a settlement with BASF relating to the infringement of a BASF patent. BASF has the exclusive right to market products containing fipronil for the treatment of ants and cockroaches in Australia . Sherwood Chemicals has agreed that it would refrain from recommending or promoting the method of treatment claimed in BASF’s fipronil patent for the treatment of ants with effect from January 14, 2015. Sherwood Chemicals has made a settlement payment to BASF and published a corrective advertisement on its website. Sherwood Chemicals has also agreed to publish a corrective advertisement in a trade publication. In 2013, Imtrade Australia Pty Ltd resolved court proceedings taken by BASF , and Enviromax Pty Ltd settled out-of-court in 2014 concerning allegations of infringement of one of BASF's patents covering processes for the manufacture of fipronil . Fipronil is the active ingredient in BASF products including Adonis®, Regent®, Termidor® and Cosmos®. Its key applications provide effective solutions against devastating insect pests in crops such as cotton, vegetables, bananas and mushrooms, and for the protection of industrial and residential property against termites. “Continuous investment in research and development is essential to be able to provide our customers with the best, most efficient solutions to manage enduring pest control challenges,” said Tony Moskal, Head of Agriculture, BASF Australia and New Zealand. “Introducing a new active ingredient to the market requires approximately € 200 million in investment and about 10 years’ time. To be able to continue such substantial investment, BASF protects its innovations to the fullest of its capabilities. To this end, BASF is working to enforce its intellectual property rights and is working closely with all governing authorities to ensure that only the highest quality ingredients are present in Australia’s top brands and formulations.” In 2013, BASF invested about €470 million in crop protection and pest control research and development and another €150 million in Plant Biotechnology. These investments are part of the company’s overall commitment to growers, agriculture and food security. About BASF’s Crop Protection division With sales of more than €5.2 billion in 2013, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients and plant stress. Its portfolio also includes products for turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leading innovator that supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or through our social media channels . About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Source: BASF website