Shibuya Corporation (TSE: 6340) lost the first round of a US patent fight over its aseptic filling systems. The US District Court for the District of Delaware ruled on October 13, 2026, local time, that the company infringed patents held by Steuben Foods, Inc., and awarded $38.3mn in damages plus $10.3mn in prejudgment interest, according to a company disclosure dated October 14.
What the court found
Steuben, based in Elma, New York, brought the infringement suit. The first-instance judgment found infringement of claims 19 and 22 of US Patent No. 6,536,188 and claim 26 of US Patent No. 6,209,591. The disclosure does not say how the damages figure was calculated.
Shibuya's response
The company said it will consider and pursue all legal options to protect its rights, including an appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The ruling is therefore not a final outcome.
Shibuya also said the Steuben patents found to be infringed have already expired, and that the judgment will have no effect on future sales, use or maintenance of its aseptic filling systems. That is the company's own statement in its disclosure.
What remains open
Shibuya said it is still examining how the judgment will affect consolidated results for the fiscal year ending June 2027 and will announce the effect promptly once it is determined. The disclosure gives no provision amount or earnings estimate.