Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and Ajinomoto Eurolysine S.A.S. have obtained
the final judgments in their favor in the patent infringement law
suits on feed-additive lysine in Germany and in the Netherlands
TOKYO, October 7, 2013 - The Dutch Supreme Court has rendered its judgment on the patent infringement law suit on feed-additive lysine initiated in 2006 by Ajinomoto Co., Inc. and Ajinomoto Eurolysine S.A.S. (collectively “Companies”) against Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Ltd. with its subsidiaries and an European distributor, HELM AG (collectively GBT). The validity of the patents owned by the Companies and the infringement of the patents by GBT were affirmed, and Companies have finally won the law suit.

Also in Germany, the Düsseldorf Court of Appeal rendered its judgment in favor of Companies on July 18, 2013, and GBT did not file an appeal to the German Supreme Court by the due date. Thus the judgment on the patent infringement by GBT is now final. Although GBT had filed law suits in 2008 in order to invalidate the patents owned by Companies, GBT’s claims were dismissed and the validity of the patents was affirmed.

The outlines of the final judgments in Germany and the Netherlands are as follows;
- To forbid GBT from committing patent infringement such as to offer to sell, to sell, to use and to import an infringing lysine product
- To order GBT to disclose to Companies detailed information on the acts of patent infringement
- To order GBT to compensate damages incurred by Companies
- To order GBT to pay litigation costs

It is of great significance that the consistent claims of Companies have been granted in both Germany and the Netherlands, highly respected jurisdictions in patent infringement law suits in Europe.

The Ajinomoto Group has been making intensive investments in R&D for advanced production technologies for amino acids and has committed itself to contribute to the feed & animal nutrition industry as world-leading amino acid producing company. The Ajinomoto Group believes that infringement of its intellectual property obstructs its R&D efforts and therefore the Ajinomoto Group will continue to pursue necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights.


About Ajinomoto Co.
Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,172.4 billion (USD 14.1 billion) in fiscal 2012. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

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