Sign in Subscribe
Petroleum

Unocal Defends Patent of Reformulated Gasoline Against Big Oil

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Unocal Corp. has filed a counterclaim in response to six major oil companies seeking to block its patent of reformulated gasoline (RFG). The patent, awarded in February 1994, covers many of the formulations that refiners might find practical to manufacture to comply with California Phase 2 RFG standards, which go into effect on March 1, 1996. The six oil companies - Texaco Inc., Chevron Corp., Shell Oil Co., Mobil Corp., Exxon Corp., and Atlantic Richfield Co. - contend that Unocal's formulations do not meet the "new and nonobvious" standard for patents. The dispute is set to take place in U.S. District Court of California.

Key Takeaways:

  • Unocal Corp. has filed a counterclaim against six major oil companies seeking to block its patent of reformulated gasoline (RFG).
  • The patent, awarded in February 1994, covers many of the formulations that refiners might find practical to manufacture to comply with California Phase 2 RFG standards.
  • The six oil companies - Texaco Inc., Chevron Corp., Shell Oil Co., Mobil Corp., Exxon Corp., and Atlantic Richfield Co. - contend that Unocal's formulations do not meet the "new and nonobvious" standard for patents.
  • John Diaz, an attorney for the plaintiffs, states that Unocal's patent relates to old gasoline formulations already in the public domain.
  • Unocal spokesman Barry Lane claims that the ongoing dispute will not affect California's introduction of its Phase 2 standards.
  • If a court upholds the patent, the other companies will be required to pay retroactive license fees because they have admitted to producing Unocal's patented RFG.

Statistics:

  • The California Phase 2 RFG standards are set to go into effect on March 1, 1996.
  • Unocal's patent was awarded in February 1994.
  • There are six major oil companies seeking to block Unocal's patent of reformulated gasoline (RFG): Texaco Inc., Chevron Corp., Shell Oil Co., Mobil Corp., Exxon Corp., and Atlantic Richfield Co.

Sources:

  • "WASHINGTON -- Unocal Corp. shot back late last week at six major oil companies seeking to block its patent of reformulated gasoline (RFG)." - source not specified, presumably a news article or original reporting
  • "The company said Friday it filed a counterclaim in U.S. District Court of California in response to a request for a declaratory judgment filed April 13 by Texaco Inc., Chevron Corp., Shell Oil Co., Mobil Corp., Exxon Corp. and Atlantic Richfield Co." - no source specified, presumably a news article or original reporting
  • "Unocal said its patent, awarded in February 1994, 'covers many of the formulations that refiners might find practical to manufacture' in order to comply with California Phase 2 RFG standards, which go into effect March 1, 1996." - no source specified, presumably a news article or original reporting

Read more