Välinge Successfully Defends Patent in Opposition Proceedings

Viken, SW, January 15, 2016--Välinge successfully defended the European Patent No. 2 248 665 in the oral proceedings on December 17, 2015 before the Opposition Division. The European patent is maintained in amended form. The Opposition Division declared in the oral proceedings that the first auxiliary request including the subject-matter that the print layer is a printed thermoplastic film is novel and involves an inventive step.

The patent was originally filed by Mannington Mills, Inc. and relates to resilient floor panels. The "Välinge-Mannington EP 2 248 665" patent relates to a thermoplastic laminate plank having a core, a print layer and a protective layer, wherein the core has a groove located on a side of the core. Thereby, the patent is relevant for thermoplastic floorings having any kind of connection means comprising a tongue and groove.

The opposition, filed by Flooring Industries Limited, SARL, was withdrawn prior to the oral proceedings, and the opponent is no longer party to the proceedings. Thereby, the opponent cannot appeal the decision.