AK Steel Corp. prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit brought against the company by two French units of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel producer. The suit, heard in U.S. District Court in Delaware, alleged that AK Steel and two other steel producers have infringed upon a U.S. patent for aluminum-coated, boron-bearing carbon steels, used primarily for high-strength automotive applications. A jury, however, found the ArcelorMittal patent invalid and that no infringement had occurred. AK Steel said the decision will allow the company to begin offering the product for sale immediately to customers in the United States.

In addition, Severstal North America (SNA) also achieved a favorable decision in a patent infringement lawsuit brought about by the French units of ArcelorMittal. As a result of the decision, Severstal can sell this aluminum-coated, boron-bearing carbon steel effective immediately. In anticipation of this court decision, Severstal indicated that it has already developed the necessary expertise to provide the aluminum coated boron- bearing carbon steel per the specifications of the automotive manufacturers.