I4F Files Suit Against Carpet Express & Beauflor U.S.

Willemstad, Curaçao, November 26, 2018-I4F has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against U.S. retailer Carpet Express and Beauflor U.S., a subsidiary of Beaulieu International Group, for the wrongful manufacturing, using, importing and selling of luxury vinyl planks flooring products using Välinge’s 5Gi locking system in the United States.

I4F filed the case before the US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

I4F’s allegations are based on compelling evidence that the Beauflor Boardwalk collection of vinyl plank products, using Välinge’s 5Gi locking system, are in clear infringement of one of its 3L TripleLock patents in the United States, US ’868.

The company said it would continue to undertake the appropriate legal action against all infringements and do everything in its power to safeguard its patents, technologies and licensees around the world.

Välinge responded with a release titled “Lawsuit against Välinge licensee an attempt to manipulate the market and grab market share for inferior solutions,” saying, “Innovations4Flooring has initiated legal action against a Välinge licensee and valuable partner, Beauflor US LLC. This action was filed after Beauflor decided to use the innovative 5G-i system by Välinge for its Boardwalk product range.”

I4F then responded saying, "I4F has requested Välinge’s withdrawal of a wrongful allegation outlined in Välinge’s press release dated December 11, 2018. I4F clarified that no specific link exists between I4F’s technology, 3L TripleLock, and the German part of Välinge’s Mannington patent EP 2 248 665 (EP´665) subject to the German court filing against Belgian distributor, Oneflor Europe.

"Furthermore, I4F is of the opinion that the Mannington patent referred to in Välinge’s filing is invalid. This opinion is based on the fact Välinge lost the right to enforce four U.S. counterparts of EP’665 in the United States in May 2018."

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