Joint use of a key patent – Agreement strengthens the innovative capacity of both parties

The two technology companies MAFAC and LPW have mutually agreed to co-use an important patent for cleaning using vacuum-based pressure change procedures in their joint technological field. This ends a previously ongoing patent dispute and respects the respective development efforts over the past years in this field.

Joint Use Strengthens Customer Benefits

Both companies have invested a great deal of foundational work in recent years into developing new cleaning methods and optimizing existing ones. Ten years ago, LPW acquired a larger number of patents and patent applications (EU, USA, China) related to the cyclic nucleation process and further developed these into a stable and high-performance washing mechanical component. Additionally, in 2019, LPW initiated the patent "Method and Device for Providing a Medium by Cyclic Nucleation," which was granted by the patent office in 2022.

Meanwhile, MAFAC has been intensively involved since the mid-1990s with vacuum environment cleaning and vacuum-based pressure change procedures. In 1997, an international patent (EU, USA) was filed by then-CEO Joachim Schwarz and granted by the relevant patent offices. The process was used over many years, continuously developed, and established. From this, the successful MAFAC VAP technology has emerged today.

This specific patent essentially concerns sensor-based process monitoring during the extraction of contaminants from the component surface initiated by the vacuum-based pressure change process during cleaning and/or rinsing processes. Thus, this patent is an important building block for future cleaning processes and their process control.

Since significant innovation steps by both companies occurred in parallel, the parties agree that continuing the legal dispute would have cost only one thing: valuable time and resources that could be better invested in new developments.

Strategic Decision in the Interest of Customers and Markets

With this agreement, the companies respond to the market's dynamics, which are increasingly characterized by rapid development cycles and rising demands for quality and process monitoring. Through shared patent use, both companies can continue their individual innovation projects unhindered and without delays, bringing their solutions to market faster and more efficiently.

"The joint patent use is a strong signal and provides both sides with planning security and thus benefits for our customers. At the same time, we can continue our development work without restrictions," explains Gerhard Koblenzer, managing partner of LPW.

Stefan Schaal, managing partner of MAFAC, also emphasizes the advantages of the agreement: "This solution is constructive and fair. So typical for medium-sized businesses. It allows both companies to fully leverage their individual strengths and enables our customers to benefit from continuous innovations."

"Of course, a competitive situation still exists, as before. But owner-managed SMEs also make compromises where others have long given up," agree both CEOs.

Win-Win Situation Looking to the Future

The agreement represents a clear win-win situation: LPW and MAFAC reduce the risks of a legal dispute and avoid further delays that a lengthy process would have entailed. Furthermore, the companies strengthen their individual innovation capabilities and can focus on market competition. With this step, MAFAC and LPW send a signal that accelerates technological progress while safeguarding the interests of both companies.