UON secures pump patent

Perth manufacturer UON has scored a notable win in the long-running legal battle over the intellectual property for its submersible pumps.

Government agency IP Australia has certified the innovation patent held by UON subsidiary LAA Industries titled ‘Power and control of a submersible pump’.

UON said this confirmed it has a monopoly over the system, which was launched in 2016.

Marketed as the GMC Solution, it is used to power dewatering systems on remote mine sites.

UON’s original application for a patent was opposed by several competitors, including Malaga-based Taranis Power Group, Canning Vale firm Allied Pumps and Melbourne law firm Anderson IP.

Allied has responded to the latest ruling by commencing Federal Court proceedings this month in an attempt to have the innovation patent revoked.

“UON and LAA Industries are confident the patent will withstand any revocation claim and are planning to take steps to enforce the patent and restrain the sale of imitation solutions,” UON said.

In a related matter, UON opposed a patent application lodged by Taranis in relation to its competing VarioGen product.

IP Australia has recently confirmed that Taranis is required to pay UON’s costs. 

Taranis did not object to the costs being awarded to UON after withdrawing its patent application.

However it was unsuccessful in seeking to have the costs award stayed.

Sitting behind the contested patent applications is a related dispute playing out in the Supreme Court and the Federal Court.

The dispute centres around the role played by Gabriel Hoascar, who left UON in March 2016 and shortly afterwards joined Taranis.

UON has alleged Mr Hoascar misused its confidential information and solicited its clients, including BHP, Rio Tinto and Mineral Resources.