Unilin Wins Patent Dispute in China

Luxembourg, May 20, 2008--Unilin said the Chinese intellectual property office (SIPO) in Beijing has confirmed the validity of more than 20 patent claims of a Unilin Chinese patent that covers glueless flooring technology.

This patent is one of the two granted patents and 20 patent applications of Unilin in China.

Chinese firms filed a challenge on March 23, 2006 to invalidate it.

The decision by SIPO is further confirmation of the 2007 decision of the US International Trade Commission (ITC).

“This is of course a crucial step in Unilin’s Chinese enforcement strategy," said Raymond Hegarty, managing director of Flooring Industries, Unilin's intellectual property company.

“It is clear that our legal team will take the next steps in stopping the illegal sales in China which are harming the business of our Chinese partners and licensees exporting to China”.