UPMC asks judge to put anti-trust suit on hold

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is asking a federal judge to put an anti-trust lawsuit on hold because of a proposed merger involving the other party and insurer Highmark Inc.

West Penn Allegheny Health System is suing UPMC, claiming it stifles competition. The suit filed in 2009 previously named Highmark but the insurer was dropped after it agreed to a $475 million takeover of West Penn.

Now UPMC says an agreement reached with Highmark includes a provision that would end West Penn's case.

UPMC on Monday asked a federal judge to put the anti-trust case on hold while Highmark seeks approval for the West Penn acquisition.

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Judge rules for DuPont on Kevlar antitrust claims

DOVER, Del. (AP) -- A federal judge in Virginia has ruled in favor of DuPont Co. in a dispute with a South Korean company that lost a trade secrets lawsuit last year.

The judge late Thursday granted summary judgment to DuPont on antitrust claims by Kolon Industries alleging that DuPont tried to monopolize the market for high-strength synthetic fibers used in products such as Kevlar body armor.

Earlier this year, the judge refused to overturn a jury's decision in the underlying trade secret lawsuit.

The jury ruled that Kolon had maliciously and willfully misappropriated DuPont's Kevlar technology and awarded DuPont a $919 million damage award.

DuPont says it will begin proceedings shortly to enforce that judgment, and that it has filed a motion requiring Kolon to stop making products using the stolen technology.

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