Pergo Wins in the Supreme Court

Trelleborg, Sweden, Apr. 2--The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Pergo in the copyright case, initiated by Välinge Innovation AB. In 1996 Välinge Innovation AB (previously Välinge Aluminum) filed a writ on Pergo in the District Court claiming that a certain drawing regarding a mechanical joint system, prepared by Välinge, is protected by copyright. Furthermore Välinge thought that Pergo, by using said drawing, infringed on the copyright and consequently would be liable to pay damages. Pergo claimed that the drawing, due to its simplicity did not qualify for copyright protection. The matter was tried in the District Court, which ruled in favor of Pergo. Välinge then appealed to the Court of Appeal, which only dealt with the question of whether the drawing is protected by copyright and rendered a partial award in favor of Välinge. Pergo appealed to the Supreme Court, which admitted the case. The Supreme Court had a hearing on March 10 and on April 2 ruled in favor of Pergo by declaring that Välinge Innovation AB does not have the copyright of the drawing. "During the whole process we believed we were wrongfully accused. Therefore we are very satisfied with the ruling of the Supreme Court," says Göran Bernhoff, President and CEO of Pergo.