Austal loses hull patent infringement case

Henderson-based ship builder Austal Ltd, has lost a patent infringement case in the Federal Court of Australia, brought by a rival ship builder over one of its hull designs.

The rival, Swedish shipping company Stena Rederi Aktiebolag, had alleged one of Austal's hull designs from 1998 had infringed its patent, and the Federal Court agreed.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Austal says it is reviewing the judgement with a view to appealing against the decision.

The full text of a company announcement is pasted below

A judgement was handed down today by the Federal Court of Australia in the case of Stena Rederi Aktiebolag (Stena) v Austal Ships Sales Pty. Ltd., Austal Ships Pty. Ltd. & Austal Limited, concerning infringement of an Australian patent held by Stena. The Judge found that one of Austal's hull designs from 1998 infringed the patent.

Austal and its IP advisors are reviewing the judgement with a view to appealing the decision.