Ferro, TherMark, CerLase Reach Accord

Ferro, TherMark, CerLase Reach Accord
On Laser Marking Technology
















From left: Phil Maitland, Ferro Glass Systems Global marketing & Business Development Manager, Arnaud Hory, Managing Director of CerLase and Paul Harrison, Chairman of TherMark LLC signed cooperative agreement in Limoges, France.

Ferro Corporation of Cleveland, USA, TherMark LLC of Los Angeles, USA and CerLase of Limoges, France have settled a long-standing dispute over the use of patented laser marking technology for ceramics, glass and metals.

In addition to settling their legal claims, the firms completed a cross-licensing agreement that allows all three parties to practice and promote laser marking technology under the applicable patents.

TherMark and Ferro had previously reached an accord with a license agreement in 2004 and this agreement includes CerLase who also hold intellectual property (IP) in laser marking technology. Several years ago all three companies developed materials and processes which enhance or enable lasers to make high-contrast permanent marks on a variety of surfaces.

The new agreement gives Ferro, TherMark and CerLase the ability to market each others products, processes and equipment, without triggering issues concerning patent infringement. Ferro will be the sole and exclusive supplier of TherMark and CerLase materials to worldwide markets, except for certain limited pre-existing licensing agreements. TherMark continues as an authorized distributor of Ferro laser marking materials.

At the signing ceremony in Limoges, Phil Maitland, Ferro Glass Systems Global Marketing & Business Development Manager said, “We believe this is great news for the laser marking industry and will enable us to help develop the market more rapidly to reach its full potential.

“With the intellectual property issues finally resolved, we can all concentrate our resources on delivering the integrated solutions that a vast range of customers are demanding for marking and decorating their products.”

Paul Harrison, Chairman of TherMark and Arnaud Hory, Managing Director of Cerlase added, “We are delighted with this cross-licensing agreement relating to our respective technologies and to have strengthened our relationship with Ferro. The industrial laser marking market has enormous untapped potential and this agreement removes any remaining uncertainties or concerns that the market may have had about dealing with any of us for risk of litigation over patent infringement.”