EPO テキサス大学の特許、異議で潰れる

環境関連の技術として、充電池関係の権利争いはどんどん熾烈になるのでしょうね。
テキサス大学の特許とすると、米国内ではSovereign Immunityで訴訟に関しては無敵（反訴の恐れがない）ですが、欧州だと当然免疫不全になるのですよね・・？？（でも、特許が潰れたから問題ないか）

Valence Technology Prevails in Decision by European Patent Office to Revoke University of Texas Patent
December 09, 2008 (from Business Wire)

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Valence Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VLNC), an international developer of safe lithium phosphate energy storage solutions, prevailed in today’s decision by the Opposition Board of the European Patent Office (EPO) to revoke the European Patent granted to the University of Texas (UT) relating to lithium metal phosphates. The decision revoking the Goodenough et. al. UT European Patent eliminates any risk that UT could assert the European Patent against Valence’s proprietary lithium iron magnesium phosphate cathode material, which is a critical material for the next generation of electric vehicle batteries.

Valence had initiated opposition proceedings in the EPO on July 27, 2005, against the grant of the European Patent held by the University of Texas alleging that it lacked novelty. As a result of today’s decision, European Patent number 0904607, originally issued to UT, has been revoked by the EPO in its entirety. The decision to revoke the patent can be appealed by UT...(more)

Opposition(s):	Opponent(s):	01 27/07/2005 04/08/2005 ADMISSIBLE VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC. 301 Conestoga Way Henderson, NV 89015 / US Opponent's representative Beckmann, Claus Kraus & Weisert Patent- und Rechtsanw?lte Thomas-Wimmer-Ring 15 80539 M?nchen / DE [2008/44]
	01/09/2005	Invitation to proprietor to file observations on the notice of opposition
	11/05/2006	Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition
	09/12/2008	Date of oral proceedings