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Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc - European Patent Office decision to revoke EMGS patent

25 Feb 2010

Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc (AIM:OHM), notes the decision of the European Patent Office, announced 24th February 2010, to revoke a general method patent held by EMGS of Norway.

The patent, EP 1256019, is an early general method patent describing CSEM for hydrocarbon detection. The corresponding UK patent was revoked by the UK high court in 2009 (although this decision is being appealed by EMGS), and  this additional decision by the European Patent Office further strengthens the long held OHM view that such general method patents are invalid and unenforceable.

The European Patent Office decision applies to European countries where the patent has been validated. EMGS has two months from receiving the written decision of the European Patent office to revoke the patent in which to lodge an appeal against the decision.

Contact: 
 
Offshore Hydrocarbon Mapping plc      http://www.ohmsurveys.com/                  
Richard Cooper - Chief Executive Officer     0870 429 6581                       
Bob Auckland- Finance Director        0870 429 6581                       
KBC Peel Hunt (NOMAD and Broker)                                          
Julian Blunt/David Anderson          020 7418 8900                       
Aquila Financial Ltd (PR)                                               
Peter Reilly                         07881 920542                        



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