(Alliance News) - Sycurio Ltd on Tuesday responded to PCI-PAL PLC's announcement that it had defeated a patent infringement suit brought by its competitor at the UK High Court, saying it intends to review the judgement.

PCI-PAL is a Suffolk, England-based global cloud provider of secure payment solutions for business communications, while Sycurio - its competitor - is a Surrey, England-headquartered payment software provider.

On Tuesday, Sycurio said that while the High Court had rejected its claim, it was reviewing the judgment with its advisers and, based on a preliminary assessment of the findings, intends to seek permission to appeal the decision.

The judgement, which was handed down after the close of business on Monday, concluded that Sycurio's patent was invalid due to "obviousness from two sources of prior art". It was also decided that even if the patent had been valid, PCI Pal's Agent Assist solution did not infringe the patent.

However, on Tuesday, Sycurio said that it had invented the technology helping contact centres ensure PCI compliant telephone payments, and holds patents in the UK and US in respect of these technologies.

The firm said it believes that "PCI-Pal's Agent Assist system infringes Sycurio's IP, in both the US and the UK". Further Sycurio added that the High Court ruling "only concerns the UK claim and does not affect the US claim".

Sycurio is suing PCI Pal for infringement of several US patents and a trial is expected to take place in late 2024 or early 2025. An attempt by PCI Pal to have the case dismissed was rejected by the Court in June 2022.

"As a pioneering technology company, it is essential that we defend our IP so that we can confidently invest in new technologies and grow with our partners for the benefit of customers across the world. Whilst I am disappointed by the UK court's ruling, I am confident about the strength of our IP. We therefore intend to seek permission to appeal the UK court's decision and continue with our claims against PCI Pal in the US," said Sycurio Chief Executive Officer Nick Viney.

He added: "Needless to say, today's ruling does not in any way impact our ability to deliver and sell our products to customers globally. Nor does it affect our relationships with customers and partners. It is business as usual at Sycurio."

PCI-PAL shares closed 22% higher at 60.00 pence each in London on Tuesday.

By Holly Beveridge, Alliance News reporter

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