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RAPAPORT... The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) upheld all of Charles & Colvard's claims under its moissanite patent, number 5,723,391, covering the silicon carbide gemstones upon conclusion of an ex parte reexamination request filed by BetterThanDiamond.com this past May. Throughout this particular process, Charles & Colvard believed its claims remained valid and enforceable, according to a statement. The reconfirmation followed a similar test by the Australian Patent Office earlier in May that concluded Charles & Colvard’s Australian patent, too, is both novel and inventive when faced with a similar ex parte reexamination. Randy N. McCullough, the chief executive of Charles & Colvard, stated in May that he believed the challenge ''was the result of a threat by BetterThanDiamond.com's owner against Charles & Colvard to attack our patents if we did not agree to supply moissanite directly to him.'' McCullough added, ''We chose not to partner with BetterThanDiamond.com because we believe the process it uses to alter the color of our gemstones in the long term would lessen the durability and value of moissanite in the marketplace.'' In June of this year, Charles & Colvard launched its newest brand, calling the gemstone whiter and brighter moissanite Forever Brilliant®, which is certified, laser inscribed and guaranteed from the source.
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