Patton Boggs Wins Major Intellectual Property Case

WASHINGTON, DC - A recent decision issued by the US District Court in Nevada clears the way for Houston-based SulphCo Inc., to retain ownership of its high tech desulfurizing process that upgrades crude oil products, a press release by Patton Boggs stated.

US District Judge Brian Sandoval dismissed a 4-year-old complaint filed by Talisman Capital Talon Fund Ltd., alleging that Rudolf W. Gunnerman, and SulphCo, did not own the Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) to the technology known as Sonocracking.

The ownership rights of Sonocracking technology are highly coveted because of the business potential to improve crude oil products in a cost-effective way. The technology essentially uses high power ultrasound to alter naturally occurring molecular structures into hydrocarbons, which are the predominant molecular components of crude oil and crude oil fractions.

Judge Sandoval found that there was no evidence that Gunnerman breached a contract to transfer certain IPRs to Talisman when he worked with SulphCo to develop the Sonocracking technology.

“Weighing all of the evidence and assessing the credibility of the witnesses, the court concludes that the burden of proof has not been carried with regard to the claims asserted in the case,” Judge Sandoval wrote in his 7-page ruling.