The Landgericht (regional
court) Düsseldorf on July 31, 2007 came to a
first-instance decision. The court finds that
Kronotex floor panels fitted with
Välinge-"5G"-Technology to interlock panel sides
are in violation of patent EP1415056. The court
based its decision on a purely functional
valuation of the patent. Kronotex will appeal
against the court's
decision.
Kronotex also contests the
legal validity of the patent at issue and has
consequently filed a complaint with the European
Patent Office. The company argues that the patent
claim in view of the acknowledged rule of
technology is not the product of inventive efforts
but was instead obvious for persons skilled in the
art. The opposition division will come to a
first-instance decision in this matter on
September 20, 2007.
Should it be determined
that that the patent at issue is not legally
valid, Kronotex will proceed against Akzenta for
full compensation in suffered
damages.
In
all other respects, everything within our power
will be done to resolve this matter rapidly and
conclusively both in our own interest and that of
our customers as well.