Star Scientific - U.S. patent Patent and Trademark Office To Consider Reopening Patent Examination..

October 5, 2010 - Star Scientific Inc. said the U.S. government would consider reopening an examination of two of the company's patents. (US Patent & Trademark Office revoked/ “vacated” its prior notice to terminate Star Scientific's patent, pertinent in their dispute with RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company.)

In May, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or PTO, ended its re-examination of the two patents, saying Star Scientific as the patent owner failed to follow procedure. At the time, Star said it would seek to reopen the examination process.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, a unit of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), requested the re-examination of two patents in January 2009. The companies have been battling in federal court over Star's patents for a method of curing tobacco that reduces some toxins in the end product.

Star Scientifiic denied new trial in patent infringement - files appeal..

Monday, October 4th Star said its lawyer received a letter from the patent office that vacates the office's May notice it would be ending the re-examination. Star Chairman Paul L. Perito said the company was working on a response that the company believes will reopen the examination.


"We also continue to believe that once the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has had the opportunity to review all issues relevant to the proceedings, we will prevail on the merits," he said.

RJR couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Patent Office Revokes Notice of Intent to Terminate Reexamination of Star Scientific Patents, SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc., PR Newswire, 10/4/2010.

Reference: Star Scientific: PTO To Consider Reopening Patent Examination by Joan E. Solsman, Dow Jones Newswire, 10/4/2010.

Also, Star Scientific Comments on Roskamp Institute's Plans to Conduct Human Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Using a Compound (RCP-006) Developed by Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc., SOURCE Star Scientific, Inc., PR Newswire, 10/7/2010.

Reference: Patent Office Revokes Notice of Intent to Terminate Reexamination of Star Scientific Patents, Star Scientific, 10/4/2010.

Some related Star Scientific news briefs:
Star Scientific asks FDA to certify Ariva-BDL lozenges as less harmful than traditional forms of tobacco..;
Star Scientific - Star Scientific q1 2010 financial report..;
Star Scientific - continue incurring losses on its smokeless-tobacco products..;
Star Scientific asks FDA to certify lozenge less harmful..;
Star Scientific denied new trial in patent infringement - files appeal..;
Star Scientific - NASDAQ trading symbol changed to CIGX..;
Star Scientific - new product (in 2010) to help adult smokers maintain a nicotine-free metabolism..;
Star Scientific - will use its low-nitrosamine tobacco curing process to formulate smokeless tobacco dissolvable smokeless products..
Star Scientific - q2 2009 report..;
Star Scientific - Filing patent for zero-nitrosamine tobacco curing process..;
Star Scientific - 2008 annual report/Stonewall vs other OTC NRTs..;
Star Scientific Corporate Study Stonewall Lozenge in NRT..;
Star Scientific Files Third Quarter Financial Report..;
Star Scientific wants to augment sales of their tobacco lozenges..;
Star Scientific , second quarter 2008, sales down 23.6%..;
Star Scientific Applauds Recent State Legislation - Banning Smoking in Cars with Children..