FMC Seeks to Shift Fracking Pump Inventor Fight to Federal Court

FMC Technologies Inc. told a Texas federal judge that Bill Bridges Longstroke Technology LLC’s breach of contract lawsuit must be moved from state court because it concerns a dispute over the rightful inventor of a fracking equipment patent.

FMC filed a notice of removal with the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Wednesday seeking to shift BBLT’s suit there from Harris County 125th District Court.

BBLT and its owner Bill Bridges allege FMC breached a consultant services agreement by filing a patent application without naming Bridges as the inventor or co-inventor, a question of federal patent ...