ITC confirms validity of Välinge´s US patents
Viken, Sweden - September 15, 2003
International Trade Commission: the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit confirms validity of Välinge´s US patents.
On September 10th 2003, the Court of Appeals rendered its judgement in the appeal-case (the respondens were Pergo Inc, Unilin, BHK, Meister-Leisten, Roysol and Akzenta paneele + profile) that the Berry Group and Välinge Innovation AB had filed against the initial ruling of the International Trade Commission.
The Court of Appeals expressly confirms the validity and enforceability
of the three U.S. patents of Välinge (one product patent and two
method patents) relating to glue-free flooring systems. The Court of
Appeals further states that ‘play’ is an essential feature
of these three patents. “Play” is a technical feature that
enables an easy installation and disassembly of glue free flooring products.
One of the three judges had a dissenting opinion. The judgement means
that Välinge´s U.S. patents 5 860 267, 6 023 907 and 6 182
410 do now have a play requirement. Välinge has been granted several
other patents in the U.S. that do not have this play requirement and
that stands unaffected by this decision.
The patents continue to protect Välinge´s invention and Berry’s
glue free flooring products.
Välinge and Berry are now going forward with litigation in District
Courts against a number of suspected infringers on the basis of the three
patents as they have been ruled upon by the Court of Appeals, as well
as on the basis of several other U.S. patents.
Välinge Innovation developed the world’s first mechanical
locking system for laminate and wood flooring. Flooring with a mechanical
locking system enables glue-free floor laying and in recent years has
captured substantial market shares from traditional glued floors. Välinge
holds an extensive patent portfolio including six European patents (and
two soon to be granted) and eleven U.S. patents The company’s licensees
include many leading international laminate and wood floor producers.
For further information
Linda Perván-Lindeborg
e-mail: