Appeal court judgement spells doom for cockroaches
A Court of Appeal judgment spelled doom for cockroaches across the world today.
The judges awarded the sole patent rights for a high tech cockroach trap to a company which produced materials used in the control mechanisms of the Martian Rover.
Development of the trap – which uses a magnetic powder to stick pesticide to the insects’ legs – had been held up by legal action over who owned the invention.
But now the group of companies involved in the manufacture and use of polymer coated powders is to begin production after Colin Metcalfe of IDA Ltd was awarded sole rights.
A spokesman for an associated company, Polymer Powder Technology, of Hartlepool, Cleveland, said: “Cockroaches are a massive problem across the world and this device kills them with a poison targeted specifically at the insect without causing a danger to any other life.
“The poison sticks to their legs by using a magnetic powder and they then walk around, passing it on to fellow cockroaches.
“The Chinese, in particular, have shown great interest.”
The legal dispute began after Mr Metcalfe suggested the use of magnetic powders to Professor Philip Howse of Southampton University, who had patented a cockroach trap which used electrostatically charged powders to stick the poison to the insects’ legs.
Mr Metcalfe realised that Prof Howse’s invention depended on an electrostatic powder which would lose its stickiness over time, especially in humid conditions. Magnetic powders do not lose their stickiness.
Lord Justice Jacob, giving the ruling of the appeal court today, said: “When Professor Howse learned that the magnetic particles worked just as the electrostatic particles had done, he caused the University to apply for a patent.”
IDA applied to the Patent Office for the magnetic powder version of the invention to be put into its name or joint names with Professor Howse.
The hearing officer said Mr Metcalfe was the inventor and all Prof Howse had done was to tell him of the common general knowledge of those involved in the business of making traps and “there was nothing inventive” about that.
High Court judge Mr Justice Laddie said the sticky poison concept came from Prof Howse and awarded a joint patent.
The Court of Appeal allowed IDA Ltd’s challenge to the High Court finding.
