ST. PETERSBURG, November 8 - RAPSI. A commercial court will hear on December 19 an appeal filed by the Severnaya Verf defense industry enterprise against lower-court decisions to recover $10.78 million in license payments from the company as part of an intellectual property lawsuit, the court materials read.

Severnaya Verf is the world's leading shipbuilder manufacturing combat ships and commercial vessels.

The proceedings in the cassation appeal were initiated on November 8. The shipyard disputes the resolution of the Ninth Commercial Appellate Court's October decision.

Pursuant to the resolution, the Moscow Commercial Court's June decision in the lawsuit filed by the Federal Agency for the Legal Protection of Military, Special and Dual Use Intellectual Activity Results against the shipbuilder remains effective. According to the decision, Severnaya Verf will pay $6.63 million in debt as license payments, $2.82 million in penalties and $1.32 million in fines.

The debt is being recovered as part of a June 2, 2006 license contract between the service and the shipyard. The shipyard gained the right to use the developed works after the contract was signed.

Severnaya Verf was obligated to transfer a license payment no later the December 27, 2007. However, the shipyard never made the payment.