Välinge settles legal dispute with Chinese laminate producers

Viken, Sweden - July 01, 2009

Välinge has settled its legal disputes regarding infringement on Välinge's patent rights with the Chinese laminate producers Desai and Kentier.

Välinge Innovation and Chinese producer of laminate flooring, Jiangsu Kentier Wood Co., Ltd, has reached an agreement covering historical sales of products infringing upon Välinge patents. As part of this settlement Kentier has accepted the preliminary injunction, handed down by the District Court of Braunschweig on January 19th 2009 with respect to un-authorised sales of products utilizing a by Välinge patented locking system.

A second Chinese producer of laminate flooring, Jiangsu Zhongxin Desai Wood Product Co., Ltd, has also reached an agreement covering historical sales of products infringing in Välinge Innovation's patents for glue-less locking systems. As a result of the settlement Desai not only avoided expensive litigation but has also obtained the right to sub-supply products with Välinge's well known technologies to specific customers.

Both Kentier and Desai were also granted the necessary non-assert on the Välinge patents so that both companies benefit as of the present of a patent protection under the Unilin and Välinge patent rights.

"Välinge has during its history always attempted to settle its legal disputes with flooring producers infringing its patent rights outside courts through commercial settlements. Although this policy has proved to be a successful one, Välinge will continue to enforce its patent rights through court actions if friendly mediation fails", says Mr Ignace Gorus, Sr. Legal Counsel Välinge Innovation.


For further information, please contact:

Per Nygren
Market & Sales Director
Mobile: +46 706 23 87 29
e-mail:

or

Ignace Gorus
Sr. Legal Counsel
Mobile : +32 476 66 99 50
e-mail: