Before the opening bell, OurPet’s Company (OTCQX: OPCO)
announced a patent infringement settlement with Van Ness Plastic Molding Co.,
Inc. In the previously filed suit, OPCO alleged that Van Ness’ stainless steel,
rubber-bottomed bowls infringed upon the company’s 529 utility patent, which
covers a feeding dish with rubber on the bottom where the rubber does not
extend up a sidewall. According to the news release, the matter was settled
favorably to OurPet’s.
“We are pleased with the outcome of this patent infringement
case,” Dr. Steve Tsengas, president and chief executive officer of OPCO, stated
in this morning’s news release. “In the future, OurPet’s will continue to
protect the value of our innovative product lines, and specifically our
intellectual property portfolio, which currently includes 160 patents issued or
pending.”
The intellectual property in question covers the company’s
DuraPet® line, which is the leading line of pet dishes in the pet industry.
According to the product’s description on Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), the OurPet’s
DuraPet® Bowl uses a permanently-bonded rubber ring on the bottom of the bowl
to prevent sliding and reduce noise while the pet is eating. The stainless
steel bowl is scratch-resistant and crack-proof, and the product is
dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Over the years, OPCO has developed an expansive line of
innovative pet products, including a strong IP portfolio featuring 160 issued
or pending patents in the United States. In addition to its steadfast
commitment to driving innovation in the pet industry, the company has committed
significant effort to enforcing its patents against copycat competitors. These
efforts have helped OPCO maintain a sizable and growing presence in the pet
industry, as demonstrated by the company’s latest financial results.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, OPCO recorded $450,592 in net
income, an increase of 10 percent from the same period in 2014. Likewise, the
company’s 2015 full-year net income was up 74 percent over the results from the
prior year, with OPCO continuing to benefit from specific management
initiatives that resulted in lower fixed costs, lower production costs and lower
general and administrative expenses. Following the successful implementation of
its dual branding strategy, by which OPCO markets the OurPet’s brand for the
pet specialty channel and the Pet Zone brand for the food, drug and mass retail
channels, the company is well-positioned to build on these results and continue
its positive momentum throughout the first quarter of 2016 and beyond.
For more information, visit the company’s website at
www.ourpets.com
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