Given Imaging Patents Upheld in Korea

Given Imaging Ltd.’s patent infringement lawsuit against Intromedic Co. Ltd. of Seoul, South Korea, has been upheld by the Intellectual Property Tribunal of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).

Given Imaging alleges that Intromedic’s capsule endoscope, marketed under the brand name MiroCam, has infringed two of its Korean patents. In response to the accusation, Intromedic brought proceedings before KIPO to invalidate the two patents asserted by Given Imaging.

KIPO’s decision rejects Intromedic’s invalidity arguments and cripples one of its main defenses against Given Imaging’s patent infringement action. The decisions may be appealed by Intromedic.

Given Imaging will resume infringement proceedings, pending a resolution in the invalidity proceedings before KIPO. If its patents are found valid and infringed by the MiroCam endoscope, Intromedic will be prevented from manufacturing the instrument in Korea and from selling it from Korea to customers worldwide.

Rulings in these proceedings are expected during the second half of 2012.

Given Imaging provides diagnostic products for the diagnosis and monitoring of gastrointestinal tract disorders.

For more information, visit: www.givenimaging.com