Cuproban® Trademark Notice
This notice is addressed to vessel operators, procurement managers, shipyards, and any party that has received, or is considering purchasing, equipment or services supplied under the Cuproban® name.
Cuproban Systems Ltd is the sole registered owner and licensor of the Cuproban® trademark
The Cuproban® trademark is registered in the United Kingdom (UK IPO No. 2238001) and the European Union (EUIPO No. 002917730). All rights in the Cuproban name, brand, and associated Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS) technology are held exclusively by Cuproban Systems Ltd, whose sole director and designer is Barry John Kirk.
No other company, individual, or entity is currently authorised to manufacture, supply, or service equipment under the Cuproban® name without a current, valid licence from Cuproban Systems Ltd.
Important notice regarding third-party supply
It has come to the attention of Cuproban Systems Ltd that equipment has been supplied and labelled under the Cuproban® name by third parties — including Sargam Cathodic Protection LLP and entities associated with Cuproban Systems Singapore Pte Ltd — without a current licence from Cuproban Systems Ltd. This supply has taken place without the knowledge or authorisation of Barry Kirk.
What this means for vessel operators
Spares and replacement anodes
If your vessel is fitted with a Cuproban MGPS and you require replacement anodes, reaction tank assemblies, or any other spares, these should be sourced from or authorised by Cuproban Systems Ltd. Spares supplied by unlicensed third parties under the Cuproban name are not genuine Cuproban products and may not meet the original specification.
Service and technical support
Technical support, commissioning assistance, and service documentation for Cuproban MGPS installations are available directly from Cuproban Systems Ltd. Barry Kirk, the original designer of the system, remains available to assist operators with technical queries.
Anode Wear Device (AWD)
The Anode Wear Device is a Cuproban-original safety feature developed by Barry Kirk. It is not available from any unlicensed supplier. If your installation includes an AWD and you require service or calibration support, contact Cuproban Systems Ltd directly.
Verifying your supplier
Before placing any order for Cuproban MGPS equipment or spares, you are entitled to ask your supplier to confirm their current licence status with Cuproban Systems Ltd. Cuproban Systems Ltd will confirm or deny the licence status of any named supplier on request.
Licensing history
| Period | Entity | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 – present | Cuproban Systems Ltd (Barry John Kirk) | Trademark owner & sole licensor |
| 1987 – 2004 | Jotun A/S (Norway) | Licensed — expired |
| 2006 – 2013 | Sargam Metals Plc (UK) | Licensed — expired |
| 2014 – present | Sargam Cathodic Protection LLP / Ltd | No licence held |
| 2014 – present | Cuproban Systems Singapore Pte Ltd | No current licence held |
Background to the current situation
The Cuproban® Marine Growth Prevention System was designed and developed by Barry John Kirk, and has been manufactured and supplied under licence since 1984. The most recent licence was held by Sargam Metals Plc (UK), which expired in 2013. At that point, Cuproban Systems Ltd sought either to renew the licence on reasonable commercial terms, or to negotiate a purchase of the trademark by the licensee, which would have allowed manufacture to continue legally under the Cuproban® name.
Those negotiations did not result in an agreement. The former licensee declined both to relicense and to purchase the trademark. Despite this, manufacture and supply of equipment under the Cuproban® name has continued — without any licence from Cuproban Systems Ltd — through successor entities including Sargam Cathodic Protection LLP / Ltd (India) and, for international customer-facing activity, Cuproban Systems Singapore Pte Ltd.
Cuproban Systems Ltd holds a minority shareholding (10%) in Cuproban Systems Singapore Pte Ltd. This shareholding was acquired at an earlier stage and does not constitute a licence, nor does it authorise Cuproban Systems Singapore to manufacture, supply, or quote for Cuproban equipment or spares. Cuproban Systems Ltd has no operational involvement in or control over the activities of Cuproban Systems Singapore Pte Ltd, and has not authorised any of its commercial activity.
The practical effect of this arrangement is that enquiries from vessel operators and procurement managers — including those generated by Cuproban Systems Ltd's own outreach to the market — are being intercepted and quoted upon by an entity that holds no licence to use the Cuproban® name, manufacture the equipment, or represent the technology. The equipment supplied through this channel is not manufactured to the original Cuproban specification, is not covered by Cuproban Systems Ltd's technical support, and is not genuine Cuproban product.
The legal position is straightforward: any entity supplying equipment or services under the Cuproban® name without a current, valid licence from Cuproban Systems Ltd is doing so unlawfully. Cuproban Systems Ltd has not consented to this activity and is actively pursuing its rights. Vessel operators and procurement managers who receive quotations under the Cuproban® name from any entity other than Cuproban Systems Ltd should verify the supplier's licence status before proceeding.
Unauthorised use of the Cuproban® name online
The domain cuproban.com is operated without authorisation from Cuproban Systems Ltd
The website at cuproban.com presents itself using Cuproban® branding and content associated with the Cuproban MGPS system. This domain is not owned, operated, or authorised by Cuproban Systems Ltd or Barry John Kirk. Its use of the Cuproban® name constitutes unauthorised use of a registered trademark.
Who operates cuproban.com?
The cuproban.com domain is associated with entities including Cuproban Systems Singapore Pte Ltd and/or Sargam Cathodic Protection. Neither entity holds a current licence from Cuproban Systems Ltd to use the Cuproban® trademark in any form, including as a domain name or website brand.
The authorised Cuproban website
The only authorised website for Cuproban Systems Ltd is cuproban.co.uk. All genuine product information, technical documentation, licensing enquiries, and spares supply originate from this domain. Any other website using the Cuproban® name does so without authorisation.
Contact Cuproban Systems Ltd
For licence verification, spares enquiries, technical support, or to report suspected unauthorised use of the Cuproban® trademark, contact Barry Kirk directly.
Cuproban® is a registered trademark of Cuproban Systems Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (No. 02238001). The Cuproban MGPS technology and Anode Wear Device were designed by Barry John Kirk. All intellectual property rights are reserved. Unauthorised use of the Cuproban® trademark may constitute trademark infringement and passing off under UK and EU law. This notice is published in the public interest and for the information of vessel operators, procurement managers, and the marine industry. Full company and IP information →