Closure manufacturer Oeneo has successfully protected the technology behind its Diam 'technical cork' in a court victory against rival closure companies.

On 22 April, the European Patent Office in Munich dismissed a legal challenge against Oeneo and the state-owned French Atomic Agency CEA that would have compromised their jointly-held rights to the super-critical CO2 process which is central to Diam’s manufacture.

Diam commercial director Dean Banister said the company was exploring opportunities to share the technology with selected industry partners, but needed to ensure that it was used ‘in a responsible manner’.

Oeneo was challenged by Portugal’s Cork Supply Group and industry consultant Pedro Gil Ferreira.

Written by Richard Woodard

Richard Woodard
Richard Woodard
Decanter Magazine, Wine & Spirits Writer

Richard Woodard is a freelance wine and spirits writer based in the UK. Aside from Decanter, he writes for several wine trade and media outlets including Imbibe, The Drinks Business, Harpers and Drinks International.

Since 2015 he has been the magazine editor of Scotchwhisky.com. He has formerly worked as a wine news reporter at Imbibe and a feature writer for Halycon Magazine.