Huntsman Wins Dye Patent Case Against India Firm

THE WOODLANDS, Texas (AP) — Huntsman Corp. said Friday a court in India has ordered Kiri Dyes & Chemicals Ltd. to stop selling a black dye until it can determine whether the product infringes on a Huntsman patent.

Huntsman said the High Court of Mumbai handed down the order May 7, prohibiting Kiri of Gujarat, India, from marketing or selling Reactive Super Black G dye until a hearing is held.

Huntsman's textile effects division has claimed the product violates its Indian patent on Novacron Super Black G dye. The company contended it has found the Kiri product at several textile mills in Asian countries.

An after-hours telephone call and an e-mail seeking comment from Kiri were not immediately answered.

Huntsman said it filed the court action to protect intellectual property rights.

The Huntsman division, based in Basel, Switzerland, provides dyes and chemicals to textile and related industries. Huntsman is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas.

Shares of Huntsman fell 23 cents, or 3.4 percent, to $6.62 in afternoon trading.