MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Honeywell has announced that customs
authorities in Taranto, Italy, successfully seized 21 containers of air
conditioning equipment charged with refrigerant R-410A that violated
Honeywell’s European Patent No. EP 0 533 673.
The action was done on the basis of an application for border
seizure made by and granted to Honeywell. The company said it is part of its
ongoing effort to halt the trade of patent-infringing goods.
The seizure was the result of a coordinated worldwide effort
between Italian customs agents and licensed suppliers of R-410A. The infringing
refrigerant was found in equipment shipped to Italy by a Chinese equipment
manufacturer.
Honeywell holds a patent on R-410A and its use in air conditioning and
other applications. Specifically, R-410A refrigerant is a blend of
difluoromethane (R32) and pentafluoroethane (R125). It has become a globally
accepted standard for use in new residential and light-commercial air
conditioning systems. Honeywell has created a certified vendor program to
encourage Chinese air conditioner manufacturers to use R-410A refrigerant
purchased from licensed suppliers.
Honeywell’s investment in R&D has led to patented inventions
relating to the following refrigerants: R-410A, R-404A, R-408A, R-507, R-236fa
and 245fa. The company said it continues to take all appropriate actions to
protect its intellectual property worldwide.
For more information, visit www.honeywell.com.
Publication
date:06/11/2007
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