Cortron to stop manufacturing MacDermid Lava processors

The struggle between DuPont and MacDermid over the latter’s Lava flexographic thermal plate processing technology looked set to continue as L&L went to press with issue 4 (Aug-Sept). DuPont is arguing that Lava infringes its Fast thermal flexo plate processor patent and is seeking a court order against MacDermid.

Now Cortron Corporation in Minnesota has announced it is to stop manufacturing Lava plate processors, and stop providing service, spare parts, and technical support for the equipment.

Commenting on Cortron’s decision, Linda West, vice president and general manager, DuPont Imaging Technologies, said: ‘We are pleased that Cortron promptly agreed to stop manufacturing the current Lava thermal processing equipment for MacDermid after DuPont notified Cortron that the equipment infringes one of DuPont’s patents.’

In May, DuPont won a ruling before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which upheld the lower court’s determination that DuPont had shown ‘a reasonable likelihood’ that MacDermid had infringed one of its patents. MacDermid responded with a statement that it will ‘continue to sell, support and service its entire thermal product line, including the processing equipment.’

MacDermid has meanwhile filed a counterclaim citing ‘inappropriate competitive activity’ by DuPont, and alleging that DuPont has (i) attempted to inappropriately suppress competition, (ii) attempted monopolization of portions of the flexographic plate market, (iii) engaged in inappropriate restraint of trade, and (iv) used invalid patents to inappropriately suppress competition.

‘We will not be bullied by DuPont’s inappropriate use of market power and our legal system,’ said Michael Siegmund, president MacDermid Printing Solutions. ‘MacDermid is committed to defending its technology so that it may provide its customers with a full range of plate technologies. This allows our customers to choose which product is best for them.’