Powerhouse Energy Group PLC (AIM:PHE) said the grant of its European patent application has been stayed due to a claim made in the UK against the company by GetGo Recycling.
In these circumstances, Powerhouse said it had been advised that the 'stay' attached to a granted patent would be removed if the claim is dismissed.
GetGo Recycling filed as yet unspecified the claim in the High Court in London on 6 October 2023, but Powerhouse said it considers it to be entirely without merit and vexatious, adding it will vigorously defend any claim on its Intellectual Property.
In a statement, Powerhouse added it has not had any dealings or any communication with GetGo about the claim and became aware of it via a third party.
If GetGo decides to pursue the claim, service has to take place by 6 February 2024 or within four months from the date of filing
Antony Gardner-Hillman, Powerhouse chairman, commented: "As regards the European Patent Office Communication, I am advised by our patent attorneys there is no significance in this and that it is a normal procedural step when entitlement proceedings have been commenced in respect of a patent.
“As regards the proceedings themselves, we do not foresee any impact on PHE's ongoing work or interference with the company's business.
"We will deal with this as an ordinary day-to-day challenge of a kind I have seen and dealt with successfully before in my career.
“ I do not know the claimant company and I believe its action is intended to 'soften' PHE as the targeted party before a follow-on approach on something unrelated.”