Reexamination of Click Joint Patent Completed

Oostrozebeke, Belgium, October 19, 2005--After an extensive reexamination of the original patent US 5 706 621, exclusively licensed to Berry Flooring Group, now part of the Beaulieu International Group, on mechanically locking laminate flooring systems, the United States Patent Office, on October 11, 2005, issued a Notice of Allowance confirming the patentability of all of the original claims. According to a statement from Berry Group, during the reexamination, the Patent Office confirmed the scope of several of the claims as not having any “play” requirement. In addition, the Patent Office also granted several new claims that do not have a requirement for “play.” The company said that several competitors of Berry have challenged the validity and scope of the original patent (owned by Välinge Innovation AB). One of those competitors requested that the U.S. Patent Office reexamine the patent in view of several prior art patents that were not originally considered at the time the patent was first granted. The Patent Office decided to reexamine the patent, and after a thorough review, the Patent Office determined that the claims as originally granted are valid. Välinge asked the Patent Office to reexamine the claims on the basis that only claims actually having the word “play” in them be considered to have a requirement for play. Berry and Alloc said they were very pleased with the result of the Patent Office’ reexamination, and is now prepared to resume its vigorous enforcement of the Valinge patent portfolio. Berry will continue with its efforts in existing cases and will file new actions against the numerous unlicensed manufacturers of mechanically locking laminate flooring, regardless of whether they have play or pretension in the panels when joined. The Beaulieu International Group employs a 4,781 strong workforce in 8 countries and had total sales of € 1.4 billion in 2004. (consolidated 2004).

Related Topics:Beaulieu International Group

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