News Archive
Välinge and Beaulieu International Group settles IP dispute with Balterio in the US and signs agreement
Monday, March 8, 2010
Välinge, Beaulieu International Group and Balterio announce that they have settled the pending litigation in the United States.
The settlement agreement terminates the pending litigations regarding potential infringement of certain Välinge patents in the United States between Välinge and Beaulieu International Group (Berry/Alloc) vs Balterio U.S., Inc. and its customer Norman D. Lifton Co.
The parties have also reached an agreement covering historical sales of products with respect to Välinge Innovation's U.S. Patent No. 6,023,907 and 6,517,579 and RE 39,439 for glue-less locking systems. Balterio also obtained a non-assertion in relation to the above-mentioned patents for its right to supply its products on the US market in the future.
"Välinge is pleased to have settled the dispute with Balterio in a commercial way. With the extensive technology base of Välinge, and Balterio's market position we see great potential in a future co-operation regarding new products for Balterio", says Mr Darko Pervan, CEO Välinge Innovation
"The aim of Välinge has always been to settle legal disputes outside courts through commercial negotiations. Välinge has, however, also in several cases enforced its patent rights through court actions when negotiations have failed. We are pleased to have reached this settlement with Balterio and can now focus our legal resources on other producers where we are preparing several legal actions", says Mr Marcus Palm, Sr. Legal Counsel Välinge Innovation.
About Välinge Innovation
Välinge Innovation's licensees have successfully introduced a wide range of flooring products based on the company's technology, starting in 1996 with the revolutionary Alloc® Flooring. Since then, Välinge has focused on working to increase patent activities, expanding the patent portfolio, developing new technologies and forming strategic partnerships. The right to use the patented technology from Valinge Innovation is licensed to more than 100 companies worldwide. Välinge Innovation has in May 2009 moved into its 17.000 m2 new R&D center in order to remain a leading development company in the flooring industry. Today a substantial part of Välinge´s R&D is done in the Wood Powder Technology where licenses recently has been granted to Tarkett and Kronotex and only additionally a limited number of more licenses will be granted in 2010.
For further information, please contact:
Per Nygren
Market & Sales Director
Mobile: +46 706 23 87 29
e-mail: per.nygren@valinge.se
or
Marcus Palm
Sr. Legal Counsel
Mobile : +46 722 111054
e-mail: marcus.palm@valinge.se
