Hazer Group Secures Significant Milestone in Intellectual Property Protection Rights
- World Intellectual Property Organisation confirms that Hazer technology satisfies patentability requirements strengthening IP protection and coverage for technology commercialisation
- Eurasian patent application accepted for key patent family
- IP Protection Strategy update
PERTH, AUSTRALIA; 16 September 2024: Hazer Group Ltd (“Hazer” or “the Company”) (ASX: HZR) is pleased to provide an update on its intellectual property portfolio.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (“WIPO”) has confirmed that all claims from Hazer’s latest international patent application – PCT/AU2023/051270 – satisfy WIPO’s requirements for patentability. These claims relate to reactor control systems used in catalyst-based pyrolysis technologies. In particular, WIPO has issued a Written Opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority which sets out that:
- all of Hazer’s claims satisfy requirements related to novelty, in compliance with PCT Article 33(2);
- all of Hazer’s claims satisfy requirements related to inventive step, in compliance with PCT Article 33(3); and
- all of Hazer’s claims satisfy requirements related to industrial applicability, in compliance with PCT Article 33(4).
This is a significant milestone for Hazer. Additionally, WIPO’s confirmation extends the jurisdictional coverage and duration of Hazer’s key patent portfolio supporting the Company’s commercialisation strategy. It builds on the solid foundation of Hazer’s global intellectual property position.
The international patent application – PCT/AU2023/051270 – relates to control technologies for enabling management and optimisation of hydrogen production reactions. The scope of this application gives broad protection for the proprietary Hazer Process and its commercial development strategy against other catalyst- based hydrogen production systems.
WIPO’s finding is based on an examination conducted according to the Patent Cooperation Treaty by WIPO’s International Searching Authority.
WIPO is the specialist body of the United Nations that administers global intellectual property protection right regimes, including patents via the Patent Cooperation Treaty. This treaty covers over 150 countries, including all key markets in which Hazer has commercial interests.
Hazer is also pleased to advise that one of its earlier core patents has been approved by the Eurasian Patent Office, which administers rights over eight separate countries across that region. This is a positive development and extends Hazer’s global patent coverage, which includes over 70 patents and patent applications across 5 discrete technologies underpinning the Hazer process.
Hazer’s other patent filings continue to be pursued under the relevant national application processes in each jurisdiction and are proceeding according to normal timelines.
Hazer Intellectual Property Strategy
Hazer has a disciplined and rigorous intellectual property strategy to protect its novel intellectual property as it progresses towards large-scale hydrogen production. Hazer is utilising well-credentialed specialist legal advisors and IP attorneys to administer its IP protection strategy and manage its substantial global portfolio of patents and trade secrets. Hazer takes the position that this intellectual property portfolio presents substantive barriers to any person seeking to replicate or copy Hazer’s use of iron ore / iron oxide for the purposes of producing clean hydrogen at commercial scale. Hazer actively monitors other similar technologies and will take appropriate steps against potential infringement to protect its intellectual property as required.
Hazer will keep all shareholders informed of the progress of the patent applications as firm substantive milestones are achieved. It is not the Company’s intention, or usual market practice, to provide an ongoing commentary about the internal patent processes or Company strategy with respect to these, as doing so could prejudice the granting of future patent rights to the Company and interfere with commercially confidential discussions. The Company publishes a list of its main patent portfolio on its website at www.hazergroup.com.au/patents
Hazer’s CEO and MD Glenn Corrie said: “Hazer has a leading global position in the methane pyrolysis space and this latest examination report from WIPO, the definitive administrative body for global IP, further validates and strengthens our Intellectual Property rights protection. This is a fundamentally important step as we move into the commercialisation phase of technology development and our ability to provide our unique technology to our customer base.”
This announcement is authorised for release by the Board of the Company.
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Hazer Group Secures Significant Milestone in Intellectual Property Protection Rights