Feb 6 2004
The US Patent and Trademark Office has just awarded a fundamental composition of matter patent for the superconductor materials used in commercial high temperature superconductors (HTS). The material commonly known as BSCCO 2223 is a metal oxide containing bismuth, lead, strontium, calcium, copper and oxygen.
The material was originally developed by New Zealand’s, Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) in 1988. American Superconductor (AMSC) acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to the patent in 1992, when they entered into a business relationship with IRL in 1992.
However, after the patent was filed, it was challenged by several companies around the world as it is so fundamental to the production of HTS wire.
So, after 14 years of review and legal challenges, the IRL/AMSC patent has been awarded and applies to all commercially produced HTS wire. AMSC holds the exclusive worldwide licence for for this patent and will consequently receive 17 years worth of patent protection.
For more information on superconductors, click here.