Leading food ingredients supplier German-based Nutrinova is to settle patent infringement claims against Rit-Chem with respect to unauthorised sales by Rit-Chem of acesulfame potassium (known as acesulfame K or Ace-K) alleged by Nutrinova to be imported in violation of Nutrinova's U.S. Patent No.4,695,629 for the production of acesulfame K. Under the settlement Rit-Chem has agreed to stop importing and selling acesulfame K, manufactured by Bejiing VitaSweet Corporation or any other acesulfame K believed to be infringing the US patent. Rit-Chem is to pay an undisclosed sum to Nutrinova. "It is Nutrinova's strategy to protect its intellectual property and trademark rights on Sunnett® (the company's branded acesulfame K). This effort has now gained renewed focus in the United States. We are therefore very pleased that Rit-Chem has decided to take the action it has," said Graham Hall, President and Chief Operating Officer of Nutrinova Inc, responsible for the North American business.
