Recent Cases

Red Spider Technology v Omega Completions Technolo

The parties were both involved with the design of products for use in the oil industry. The claimant owned a patent for a particular type of valve used to prevent back-flow when water was used to provide added pressure to an oil well, aiding extraction.  The defendant had produced a similar valve which the claimant alleged was an infringement of its patent and a copy of its unregistered design in the valve.  Mann J rejected the claimant’s case, finding that the patent was anticipated by a document form which it had unsuccessfully claimed priority and was also obvious.  The design right claim failed because what had been allegedly copied was not in fact the valve’s design.