From the SEC 10-K- In 2014, the Company acquire
Post# of 22456
In 2014, the Company acquired a patent portfolio from Bayer AG that included patents and patent applications covering the high volume manufacture of QDs, including heavy metal-free compositions, various methods for enhancing quantum dot performance, and a quantum dot based solar cell technology (the “Bayer Patents”).
The Bayer Patents, the UA License, organically developed technologies and our proprietary continuous flow manufacturing process comprise our fundamental asset platform. We believe that the intellectual property and proprietary technologies position the Company to become a leader in the overall nanomaterials and quantum dot industry, and a preferred supplier of high performance QDs and TQDs to an expanding range of applications.
And expanded slightly here also -
Bayer Patents
In 2014, we acquired several patents and patent applications in five diverse sets of patent families from Bayer Technology Services GmbH, (the “Bayer Patents”). The Bayer Patents provide broad intellectual property protection for advances we have achieved in economical high-volume QD manufacturing. In addition, the Bayer Patents cover volume production technology for heavy metal-free QDs and nanoparticles; increasing quantum yields; heavy metal-free QDs; and hybrid organic quantum dot solar cell (“QDSC”) production as well as a surface modification process for increased efficiency of high-performance solar cells and printed electronics.
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Bayer was one of the early companies experimenting and patenting quantum dot technology. These patents are "fundamental" patents, early ones that can't be ignored. I don't know if they quality as "essential' patents, as a legal term, but Bayer was far ahead of everyone with world-class scientists and patented their inventions
in major countries worldwide.
In 2014 Bayer decided to get out of the materials science business and sold off their graphene patents to a european company and that was announced in the trade news. Starting with a contact of mine, QMC was able to approach and negotiate purchase of the Bayer /quantum dot patents at a deep bargain price. $137,743. (page 80)
The patents protect QMC from lawsuits because they are earlier than others and cover broad ground in the QD landscape. They will also be the basis for suing others that try to copy what QMC will start making in the near future as discussed on their products page on the QMC website and in the 10-K.
Here's the original press release from 2014, even more relevant now:
Quantum Materials Acquires Bayer Technology Services Quantum Dot Manufacturing and Quantum Dot Solar Cell Patents
Bayer Patent Families Expand Quantum Materials' Advanced Material Offerings, Reinforce Intellectual Property Protection of Automated Quantum Dot Manufacturing Processes and Enhance Quantum Dot Solar Cell IP to Drive Future Development, Partnerships and Revenue
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/quan...67701.html