Asetek licenses sealed liquid cooling technology to third party (Corsair?)

Earlier today news hit the wire that Asetek was granted patents for its sealed liquid cooling technology and that the company is suing CoolIT for patent infringement. Asetek just send out a press releasing to announce that it was granted three new patents for its integrated loop liquid cooling technology, together with a statement that the company will evaluate each imiator on a case-by-case basis to protect and monetize its intellectual property.

Interestingly, the press release also mentions that Asetek has entered into a licensing agreement with a "leading global marketer of integrated liquid cooling products", enabling the licensee to market both Asetek-made products as well as products utilizing Asetek IP manufactured by "certain other suppliers". Perhaps this unnamed third party is Corsair, whose full liquid cooler lineup is made by CoolIT?

Asetek, the world leading supplier of liquid cooling for the computer industry and the original inventor of integrated loop liquid cooling, announced today that it has been granted three new patents for its ground breaking technology. Asetek pioneered the integrated sealed loop liquid cooler as early as in 2002 and created a whole new category of product that makes the superior performance of liquid cooling easily accessible to computer OEMs and DIY enthusiasts alike.

“Asetek is an innovation company by DNA,” said André Sloth Eriksen, Founder and CEO of Asetek. “These patents, some of which have priority back to 2003, spring out of our rich PC enthusiast heritage and our dedication to solving painful problems for our customers.”

Asetek further announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with a leading global marketer of integrated liquid cooling products that will enable the licensee to market both Asetek manufactured product and product utilizing Asetek Intellectual Property manufactured by certain other suppliers.

This agreement enables Asetek to increase the rate of return on its investments in research and development. “Our successful innovations have attracted several imitators,” noted André Sloth Eriksen, Founder and CEO of Asetek. “Although competition is a keen motivator for continuous innovation and operational excellence, innovation is expensive and as such we take out patents to protect our investments. This license agreement allows Asetek to reap the rewards of its innovations while providing the level of competition that keeps us sharp and is good for the overall liquid cooling market.”

Asetek is the world’s largest manufacturer of all-in-one, sealed loop liquid coolers and is committed to remaining so through a combination of competitiveness and continuing investments in R&D of liquid cooling and manufacturing technology. Going forward, the company will evaluate each imitator on a case-by-case basis within the context of the greater liquid cooling market, and may grant licenses or pursue other courses of action to protect and monetize its intellectual property.