Dalton, GA, May 28--FieldTurf announced it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in U.S. Federal Court against Triexe Management Group, Inc. (d.b.a. Sportexe).
In the suit, FieldTurf alleges that through Sportexe's offer to sell and install artificial turf football fields, it has willfully infringed on two of FieldTurf's U.S. patents. Sportexe's offer to sell that patent-infringed product was made recently to both the University of Wisconsin (Camp Randall Stadium) and to M & T Bank Stadium home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. The University of Wisconsin ultimately purchased FieldTurf. Other potential customers may have also been offered the same product.
The complaint seeks damages, along with an order from the court to preliminarily and permanently enjoin Sportexe from any further alleged infringement, including the installation and/or offer to sell any product covered by FieldTurf's patents.
"We are in a difficult position," said FieldTurf CEO John Gilman. "We have to protect our patents and the many years of investment we have made in researching and developing a product that the NFL and many others consider the best turf in the business. Unfortunately, each time a new manufacturer tries to take advantage of our proprietary technologies, our legal actions sometimes interfere with players, teams, schools and universities. And that's the last thing we want to do.
"We want people playing on our turf, not sitting on the sidelines while legal issues take precedence. However, it is a matter of law, and it would be irresponsible for us to continue to ignore the blatant theft of our patented systems by those who have failed to do the proper research on their own, nor made the investment to develop original products that meet the market's growing need for artificial turf."
FieldTurf, a market leader and innovator in artificial turf products, invented and obtained U.S. patents for its technologically advanced synthetic playing surfaces. In particular, FieldTurf's unique proprietary and patented infill (comprised of sand and smooth rubber) exhibits superior playing and safety characteristics when compared to other artificial surfaces.
Other proprietary and patented technologies include FieldTurf's undercoat, which facilitates optimal drainage of water, thus further enhancing the safety and playability of its products. FieldTurf believes that the products that Sportexe has offered to sell and install, at least with regards to Wisconsin and M & T Bank Stadium, include such patented and proprietary technology.
"FieldTurf has spent considerable resources in developing and marketing our intellectual property," added Gilman. "We are, and will always remain, committed to enforcing our legal rights. It is our firm belief that we will succeed in proving this infringement and in obtaining an injunction against Sportexe."
