Lab-Grown Companies Settle Patent Battle
December 06, 20
(IDEX Online) - A high-profile legal battle over lab-grown diamond patents has been settled with both sides filing a joint motion to dismiss the case at a New York court.
The Carnegie Institution of Washington, a science research organization, and M7D Corp, a manufacturer trading as WD Lab Grown Diamonds, which uses its patented technology, launched a civil action in January against Singapore-based IIa Technologies and its sister company Pure Grown Diamonds.
The plaintiffs claimed two of its patents had been infringed - one relating to a type of CVD production called microwave plasma CVD, the other concerning a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method of repairing visual and other defects in lab-grown diamonds.
Defendants Pure Grown Diamonds claimed in court that the growth of a diamond, even under controlled conditions, was a natural phenomena and therefore unpatentable and that as a result, the allegations did not plausibly allege infringement.
The judge dismissed their motions but both sides have now withdrawn.
Another case, against Fenix Diamonds which manufactures lab-created diamonds for Michael Hill International, is still ongoing.