wiredInUSA October 2020

Filing to protect patents

Call for route surveys

Image courtesy of TenneT

Prysmian Group has filed two legal proceedings against a competitor company in the field of telecommunication cables. The group has undertaken intense research and development activities and holds numerous patents in the field of optical cables and related technologies. In order to protect its investment and technology against unauthorized use of its patents, Prysmian has filed patent infringement cases related to the unauthorized use of its European patents EP1668392 B1 and EP 2390700 B1, in Germany. The two complaints were filed before the district court of Munich. The patents relate to telecommunication optical cables, and in particular to a telecommunication optical cable with a highly reduced diameter, and to optical fiber telecommunications cables, specifically bundled cable units containing optical fibers.

Transmission system operator TenneT has issued a contract notice for geophysical and geotechnical surveys of its existing and future offshore power cable routes. The contract will cover the existing power cable routes off the coasts of the Netherlands and Germany, as well as the future cable routes within German waters and the German EEZ. The purpose of the surveys is to gather detailed seabed information to facilitate construction and maintenance strategies, and to provide contractors and authorities with the required information about seabed conditions. The tender is divided into two lots: lot 1 covers surveys in water depths over 10m, while lot 2 covers nearshore surveys in water depths of up to 10m. The duration of the contract will be 36 months, with options for two one-year extensions.

wiredInUSA October 2020

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