We have not yet been served with any filings although have only just become aware of them. Emirates Team New Zealand absolutely disputes the claims that appear to have been made.
From what we know, it appears to be a spurious attempt by North Sails to intimidate and pressure a team who has valid patents in their markets in the US and Europe. North Sails have been aware of the patent for more than five years, have been making Emirates Team New Zealand sails using our technology for several campaigns, have unsuccessfully challenged the patent in the US via a Post Grant Review process but never raised ownership.
In fact, they have contractually acknowledged that Emirates Team New Zealand owns the patent and this filing is presumably a response to arbitral legal proceedings taken against Norths in NZ over the misuse and breach of the patent.
North Sails is owned by Oakley Capital, who in turn is the majority owner of Team GB1 who is competing against Emirates Team New Zealand in the 38th edition of the America’s Cup in 2027. Team GB1 has sought to use the patent through a protocol change and was unsuccessful.
Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand
