Genus free to launch rival service as court rules against Sexing Technologies

Animal genetics specialist Genus has won its litigation case against rival Sexing Technologies' owner Inguran, allowing the UK company to enter the market for the processing of sexed bovine semen.

The court removed various contractual restrictions that had been blocking the way for Genus subsidiary ABS Global to commercially launch the Genus Sexed Semen (GSS) programme.

ABS will now launch GSS to provide its customers and third party bull studs with an alternative service provider and increased competition in the sexed bovine semen processing market.

GSS is a novel technology developed by ABS for sexing bovine semen that focused on fertility outcomes and does not subject the sperm cells to the high pressures and sheer forces of the technology currently in use in the industry.

Following a verdict last August that found Sexing Technologies wilfully maintained monopoly power in the market for sexed bovine semen processing in the US since July 2012, on Friday a Wisconsin court awarded Genus a permanent injunction confirming the jury verdict.

The court has now prevented Sexing Technologies from enforcing certain research, marketing and non-compete restrictions under the 2012 Semen Sorting Agreement it has with ABS.

Other bull studs in the US are also now permitted to terminate their Sexing Technologies sexed semen processing agreements on 12 months' notice, without damage or penalty.

The injunction will remain in force for five years and Sexing Technologies is required by the court to give prompt written notice of the court's decision to the other bull studs.