Dial Corp. files patent infringement lawsuit against SC Johnson

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Monday, June 23, 2008 8:51 PM CDT

MILWAUKEE -- Dial Corp., which makes Renuzit air freshener products, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against SC Johnson.

Dial, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., claims in the suit filed last week in Phoenix that Johnson’s Glade PlugIns Scented Oil air freshener infringes on a patent held by Dial.

Johnson sued Dial last December in U.S. District Court in Madison, claiming Dial infringed on a patent covering the way scents are emitted. That suit focused on a new Renuzit air freshener that emits three scents.

Dial is owned by Henkel AG of Dusseldorf, Germany.

Cindy Demers, who serves as vice president of corporate communications for Henkel in North America, said Monday that the company feels the lawsuit is necessary to protect its intellectual property.

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