3M wrapped up in patent claim
Westech Aerosol Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial-strength adhesives, has accused multinational 3M of infringing a patent centring on adhesive technology.
Filed at the US District Court for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma on Friday, January 27, the suit claimed that 3M and its subsidiary Northstar Chemical had infringed US patent number 7,705,056.
The patent, called “Aerosol adhesive and canister-based aerosol adhesive system”, was issued in April 2010. Dr David Carnahan, who is named as the inventor of the patent, founded Westech.
3M was accused of selling numerous aerosol adhesive products that infringe at least claim 1 of the patent.
The products include: 3M Foam Fast 74NF Cylinder Spray Adhesive (Clear), 3M General Purpose 60CA Cylinder Spray Adhesive, and 3M Hi-Strength Non-Flammable 98NF Cylinder Spray Adhesive (Clear).
Northstar is alleged to have infringed through products including NauticGrip HPS and StarStuk HT.
“Considering the balance of hardships between the plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted,” said the suit.
It added that the public interest would not be “disserved by a permanent injunction” against further infringing sales.
Westech is seeking injunctive relief, triple damages, an accounting of sales, a jury trial and attorneys’ fees.
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