The following is a verbatim statement from Commitment Australia in response to possible legal action being considered by Paleo in Belgium, as reported in our story today.
“Vow is aware of the Paleo complaints regarding the recent “Mammoth Meatball” event and would like to respond with some important clarifications. The technology and innovation involved in the creation and presentation of the vows of “mammoth meatballs” is nothing to the technology or alleged invention of Paleo.
“Mammoth Meatball” was conceived, developed and created entirely by the hard work and ingenuity of Vrat’s own scientists. [and collaborators] and uses a combination of publicly available genetic data and Vow’s own proprietary manufacturing processes. In fact, there is no suggestion by Paleo that fasting has done anything other than accept the idea of making something that involves the use of mammoth myoglobin protein.
“But Paleo has no basis to claim that general idea as their own and exclude others and try to innovate and inspire new cultural meats on that basis. Patent rights exist to protect inventions and (if granted and valid) can protect truly new, innovative and proprietary ideas; But Paleo has no such patent rights.
“Paleo has not been granted a patent with mammoth myoglobin and therefore has no valid claim. What Paleo has is a pending application for a very broad patent that, if valid and granted, would allow companies to use a wide range of animals (pigs, sheep, cows). , including chicken and tuna, in addition to mammoth) will prevent animal myoglobin from being used as a meat substitute or food ingredient.
“In short, the patent application is a “land grab” attempt of outrageous proportions that extends to ideas and products which (like the early “mammoth meatball”) owe nothing to any alleged invention or work done by Paleo and which have already been found. One of the European Patent Office Most likely invalidated by examiner (see https://register.epo.org/documentView?number=EP.2021087884.W&documentId=id0000006 7357426).
The purpose of the vow for the event, which featured “Mammoth Meatballs,” was to encourage discussion about the future of food, and increase mainstream awareness of cultured meat and other alternatives—for the benefit of the food industry as a whole.
“The positive response to the event and the lively discussions resulted in the goal being achieved – to the benefit of all. So, at a time of opportunity for the industry to come together and have more conversations collectively and constructively about the future of food, it’s disappointing to see paleo trying to assert non-existent intellectual property rights in this way and generally try to expand and expand. Unspecified threats of legal action, which will only block important discussions in the case.
“The Vow is not afraid of tough conversations or debates, nor is it afraid to stand up for the hard work and completely independent innovation of its people. Paleo’s threats and accusations are baseless and Vow will take appropriate action to protect its reputation, its innovation and its people. At the same time, Vrata is committed to supporting efforts to raise the profile and educate the public about the feasibility and potential of cultured meat and alternative proteins, including through events that raise awareness and credibility of an alternative way of providing a food. The population is growing rapidly.”