PLUS BRAND ESTABLISHES DOMINANT GLOBAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION

SEPTEMBER 25 , 2025 –  Plus Brand Industries is pleased to announce the culmination of several years worth of intellectual property protection work related primarily to the Company’s unique CPG label scratch technology. All-Scratch!® technology has now achieved patent-issued and published status in several key countries across the globe, setting the stage for Plus Brand to commence licensing of the technology that has helped propel the growth of Agua Plus alkaline water products across the US.

The genesis of All-Scratch!® technology was the need to solve the global problem of confusion relating to the ownership of mass-produced consumer packaged products. A 2024 BCC Research study that included a national sample size audience of 10,000 respondents found that the issue of confusion over to whom a consumable product belongs to is prevalent amongst the majority of consumers. 59% of those surveyed have experienced the problem. The key symptom stemming from this issue of confusion is the creation of excess product and packaging waste, with 67% of respondents saying that when confusion exists they simply throw the product away and obtain a new one. The primary driver for 87% of those surveyed who threw away the product is concern over selecting the wrong product and accepting the elevated health risk posed by consuming a product that belongs to someone else.

Designed to be fun, effective and simple, All-Scratch!® technology allows the owner of a consumer packaged product to scratch their name, initials, an image or any simple identifying mark directly onto the label of the product. The innovation is in the ink composition and layering which allows it to be durable enough for transport yet soft enough to scratch with nothing other than a finger nail. The resin base also makes the ink completely safe for any human being, even if accidentally ingested; uniquely different from most scratch inks which are toxic. Also unlike most other scratch inks, All-Scratch!® is not water-soluble which is clearly important given the environment of a cold beverage. It is resistant to water, ice, sun, heat, condensation and mild rubbing. Most importantly, it can be applied easily to any CPG product label without major changes to most existing production lines. 

No corner has been cut in the process of protecting this valuable intellectual property and building that protection out in a way that is defensible against infringement. Not only does the patent protect the ink formulation itself, but it also includes the application of the ink technology to various different substrates such as plastic, glass, cardboard and aluminum to name a few. The entire process has been video documented in order to ensure every important element of the ink technology and application is included for the most robust protection possible. With filings completed in the United States (USPO), Europe (EPO), Mexico, India and the International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), All-Scratch!® now enjoys patent protection across several major countries. 

The PCT provides the foundation for Plus Brand’s global I.P. strategy, securing priority rights in over 150 additional contracting countries including Brazil and several in Asia and the Middle East. Following the PCT Global review process, the Authorized Review officer specifically commented that they found the patent application to be novel, inventive and having industrial application. This extensive protection around such a unique technology establishes a multi-jurisdictional shield around All-Scratch!® ensuring global optionality, strengthening licensing potential and defensibility in key international markets. 

The entirety of the All-Scratch!® technology intellectual property and legal framework has been championed by a highly skilled and respected co-operative of top patent and trademark attorneys. The internationally recognized Clark Hill has led the charge when it comes to Plus Brand national and international patent projects. With over 135 years in business, very few firms carry with them the pedigree and prestige of Clark Hill. From the very beginning, Timothy McCarthy has led strategy while also working closely with William Cramer who specializes in the prosecution of trademark, patent and copyright applications as well as litigation of disputes. Their combined experience has played a large role in ensuring defensibility of the Plus Brand intellectual property. Collectively, along with Goodrich for I.P. work in Mexico, the team has provided the Company with a strong framework through which licensing can be launched.

“It’s a huge milestone for us to have such a strong framework of global I.P. protection in place for All-Scratch!®” said Plus Brand Founder and CEO Chad Willis. “It has been years in the making in order to make sure we dotted all the i’s and crossed all of the t’s. The growth of Agua Plus demonstrates how well All-Scratch!® works from a practical standpoint which has made it even more important to ensure that the I.P. is well protected from every angle. Agua Plus is ultimately the vehicle that has gone out into the market to demonstrate the demand for a technology solution like All-Scratch!®. Now that the demand has been confirmed and the patent work has been dominantly established by Tim, Bill and their teams, we can finally begin moving forward in a meaningful way with the many licensing conversations that we have been entertaining.”

Additionally, several other Plus Brand trademark filings have now been completed to set the stage for product line growth. Regional trademark work has been completed by long-time council Daliah Saper along with her team at Saper Law. Trademarks include registration for digital applications including online gaming, metaverse and downloadable digital goods. Approved Registered Trademarks now include: