Prometheus calls that accusation absurd and said only researchers who use its reference numbers as part of a treatmentmethod could be accused of infringing.
Mr Norburn was successfully treated for prostate cancer through cryo-therapy, a method of treatment that involves destroying abnormal tissue by freezing it.
In fact, tattooing is an acceptable form of identification for animals and even is one method advocated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Another method, used mainly in Pennsylvania, is to simply use treatment facilities to clean up the fracking wastewater before it heads into local rivers and streams.
While there have been other patents awarded on treatment methods, Singer said, they require doctors to use a new method of diagnosis or a new method to measure some level in the body.