Procter and Coca-Cola Agree on Drink Technology

Procter & Gamble Co. and the Coca-Cola Co. have settled two patent infringement lawsuits that involve putting calcium in juice and preserving non-fizzy drinks.

The first suit involved the P&G patent for fortifying orange juice with calcium. The second related to a preservative system used in a number of non-carbonated Coca-Cola products.

The companies did not disclose settlement terms, but Coca-Cola may continue to sell its calcium juices and use P&G’s preservative technology.

Procter said it is pleased it could “resolve this amicably.”

“P&G is proud that our technology is helping to meet the needs of consumers through its use in some of Coke’s products,” said Jeff Weedman, vice president of Procter’s external business development organization.