29 July 2005
Further re Patent Office decision in CSEM case
On 22 July 2005, Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc ('OHM') announced that it had received a copy of the decision of the UK Patent Office in the case between University of Southampton and Statoil.
The decision of the Patent Office was to award the patent, which covers aspects of controlled source electromagnetic data acquisition and analysis for the detection of offshore hydrocarbon reservoirs, to Statoil.
The University of Southampton, whose researchers have a long history of research and development in the controlled source electromagnetic imaging method, have announced today that they intend to exercise the rights of appeal against a decision they regard as wrong, and accordingly are actively preparing Grounds of Appeal.
OHM has been reviewing the effect of this ruling on its ongoing operations and has been advised that there is no immediate impact. The Company hopes that the appeal process will move forward promptly.
Ends
For further information
OHM:
Dave Pratt Chief Executive Officer 0870 429 6581
Aquila Financial Limited:
Peter Reilly 020 7849 3319 peterreilly@aquila-financial.com
Notes to Editors
The case surrounds a patent application which was filed in December 2001 and subsequently granted to University of Southampton in the UK in March 2004, and is pending in other jurisdictions. Statoil disputed this patent award and lodged an entitlement claim against the University of Southampton in the UK Patent Office in February 2004, the decision of which was announced last week in favour of Statoil.
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