FMC Corporation announced that Qingdao Intermediate Court in China has ruled in its favor in the chlorantraniliprole patent infringement suit against Shandong Weifang Rainbow Chemical Co. Ltd. (Rainbow).

The Court found Rainbow infringed on FMC's composition of matter patent for the insecticidal active ingredient chlorantraniliprole and a key intermediate to manufacture chlorantraniliprole.

The judgement includes a permanent injunction ordering Rainbow to immediately stop manufacturing, selling, offering to sell and using chlorantraniliprole, upon the effective date of the judgement. The court also ordered the China-based crop protection manufacturer to compensate FMC for related damages. Rainbow's infringement had enabled it to unfairly compete in the crop protection market and benefit from FMC's significant investments in this important product.

"We are pleased with the decision of the Court," said Michael Reilly, FMC executive vice president, general counsel and secretary. "This decision strengthens FMC's confidence in protecting and enforcing its patents in China. This result also reinforces the value of our commitment to bring innovation to growers around the world."

FMC maintains an extensive patent estate for its proprietary chlorantraniliprole technology, including patents that cover active ingredient composition of matter, manufacturing, formulations and other areas protected by intellectual property laws in the U.S., China, India, and other important agricultural markets throughout the world. The company has invested significantly to research, develop and commercialize chlorantraniliprole, a proprietary, breakthrough technology designed to control a wide variety of destructive insects that can destroy a farmer's crops and dramatically lower food production. FMC markets its products that contain chlorantraniliprole under several brand names around the world, including Rynaxypyr active, Coragen insect control, Altacor insect control, Prevathon insect control, Premio insect control and Ferterra insect control.

"Intellectual property rights are essential for the continued innovation of crop protection solutions and thereby serve the interest of our growers, customers, investors, employees, suppliers and partners. Infringing, illegal and counterfeit crop protection products not only reduce incentives for investing in innovation, they can pose a health and safety risk for growers and consumers, as well as an environmental hazard," said Reilly. "FMC is committed to product stewardship, sustainability and vigorously defending our intellectual property. By enforcing our patents, we help keep these illegal products out of the market."