Välinge Wins Court Ruling on Patent Dispute

Viken, Sweden, Feb. 23, 2010--Välinge said it has won a key ruling in a patent dispute with Pergo over patents that Pergo has used against Välinge's licensees Berry/Alloc and Armstrong.

Välinge said that the U.S. Court of Appeals has affirmed that the patents that Pergo has used are invalid.

In 2000, Berry/Alloc/Välinge filed a complaint in U.S. against Pergo based on Välinge patents and Pergo responded a few years later by filing a complaint against Berry/Alloc and Armstrong based on Pergo patents.

Välinge and Pergo settled their disputes in April 2007 and entered into a cross license agreement related to fold down technology, Välinge said.

Välinge said it acted as mediator and managed to convince Berry/Alloc to propose settlements on fair and reasonable terms, but Pergo rejected the proposals.

Välinge said it supported its licensees in their defense. The district court jury found in a first instance ruling in December 2007 that both Pergo patents were invalid on multiple grounds and not infringed.

Pergo appealed the decision.

The legal dispute based on the Berry/Alloc complaint is still pending.

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