June 13, 2007
Ireland
Ireland
The big business division of the High Court has agreed to hear a case which claims that more than half of Ireland’s wind turbines infringe a German company’s patent.
The case, which was brought by German wind giant Wobben, alleges that some 348 wind turbines in the State infringe their patented processes.
The 348 turbines, controlled by Scottish firm Vestas Celtic Wind Technology, make up more than half of Ireland’s 650 wind turbines.
In documents lodged with the court, Wobben claims that the breach of patent came to light at the Irish Wind Energy Association Conference which was held in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on March 29 and 30.
At this event, Vestas described processes that were covered by Wobben’s patent, the German company claims.
The German firm goes on to say that it has offered Vestas a licence for the patented technology with a 2pc royalty rate. This offer has been declined, Wobben said.
Wobben is now asking the Commercial Court to injunct Vestas against using the patented processes, to order Vestas to destroy all products covered by patents and to pay damages.
Earlier this week, Justice Peter Kelly agreed to admit the case to the commercial list with a trial date to be set in July.
By Laura Noonan
13 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/13/court-filings-claim-half-of-wind-turbines-infringe-laws/