Star to Appeal Patents Rulings

Source from:  tobaccoreporter.com US, Friday, June 29, 2007 07/02/2007

Star Scientific Inc. is to appeal two federal court rulings relating to its patent infringement lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co (RJRT). Star announced on Wednesday that it had initiated the appeals process by filing a notice of appeal with the US District Court for the District of Maryland. 'Star Scientific gave notice that it is appealing, and will seek expedited review, of the January 19, 2007 summary judgment rulings as well as the court's ruling on inequitable conduct, which was issued on Tuesday,' the company said in a statement posted on its website. 'The appeal will be taken up by a three-judge panel in the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The company looks forward to having that court consider these issues.' In a previous statement the company said that it was 'disappointed and frankly outraged' by the US District Court's ruling on the inequitable conduct bench trial in its lawsuit. 'The court's conclusion that highly respected and experienced senior attorneys at four national law firms were involved in an alleged plot to deceive the patent office is stunning and totally without support in the record,' it said. Enditem