Diamond tech firm Sarine has filed a series of lawsuits in and around Surat for alleged piracy of its mapping software. Raids were carried out at eight locations in India's cutting and polishing capital last Wednesday (18 May) after a court granted the company ex-parte orders. Sarine was unable to provide details, but said: "It is believed that the court commissioners were able to find materials, relating both to hardware and/or software, which appear to be infringing its patent and copyright IP."

The Israel-based company, which numbers the Galaxy family of inclusion and tension mapping systems among its many products, has long battled counterfeiters who illegally copy its patent-protected hardware, as well as its software, and has previously taken legal action. David Block, Sarine's CEO said: "It is unfortunate that unscrupulous parties are tainting the entire Indian diamond industry. We are encouraged by the court's swift action, its understanding of the gravity of the situation and its granting of immediate steps to protect Sarine's legal rights. We are hopeful that the measures necessary to halt these blatantly illicit practices will be implemented not only to rightfully protect Sarine's substantial investments in its IP, but also to safeguard the integrity of India's diamond industry that relies so heavily on the public's trust." News courtesy: idexonline.