STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Jan. 26, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pergo has taken two important steps to protect its patent rights: The Group files an infringement and copyright action suit against Faus for infringement and the United States Patent Office has issued a "Notice of Allowance" supporting Pergo's revolutionary Four-In-One Moldings(TM) patent application.
"Intellectual property rights is a strategic area for Pergo. We will stand up for ourselves in cases of patent infringements and continue to build upon our patent portfolio," says Goran Bernhoff, President and CEO of the Pergo Group.
Pergo files suit against Faus
Yesterday, Pergo (Europe) AB and Pergo Inc. filed an infringement and copyright action against Faus Group, Inc. and Industrias Auxiliares Faus S.L.
The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Raleigh, N.C., charges Faus Group, Inc. and Industrias Auxiliares Faus S.L. with infringement of patents US6 517 935 and US6 805 951 related to their sale of accessories in the U.S. The complaint alleges that the Faus group FasTrim product both infringes the patent and copyright rights of Pergo.
The complaint requests preliminary and permanent injunction and requests damages and costs.
Patent to be issued on Simple Solutions Moldings
The United States Patent Office has issued a "Notice of Allowance" supporting Pergo's revolutionary Four-In-One Moldings(TM) patent application. The patent will ensure protection of the innovative all-inclusive, snap-together molding system, which has demonstrated to offer significant savings in both cost and time for retailers, installers and consumers.
The new molding concept can reduce the number of articles by as much as 75 percent, while providing manufacturers, distributors and retailers greatly increased inventory turns. ``For professionals and DIY'ers, they are simple to install and offer the added guarantee of always having the correct type of moldings on hand to finish the job. Errors are nearly eliminated," explains Bengt Lundgren, President of Simple Solutions, a newly formed division of Pergo, Inc.
Simple Solutions Four-In-One Moldings are being manufactured in a brand new 60,000-square-foot facility, which opened in Garner, N.C. last June. Dedicated exclusively to the production of moldings and surface accessories, primarily for the US market, the plant is fully automated and equipped with state-of-the art systems and technology.
Trelleborg January 26, 2005 Pergo AB Corporate Communications
For further information, please contact: CEO -- Goran Bernhoff, phone number +46 410 36 31 00 SVP Technology & IP -- Diane Tate, phone number +46 410 36 31 00 SVP North America -- Anthony Sturrus, phone number +1 919 773 6000 CFO -- Staffan Soderqvist, phone number +46 410 36 31 00 Corporate communications Communications Manager -- Asa Ruhr, phone number +46 410 36 31 00
This is Pergo
Pergo is a leading flooring company with strong market positions, particularly in Europe and the US. Net sales amounted to MSEK 2,799 (3,194) in full-year 2003 and the number of employees was 795 (784) as at December 31, 2003. Pergo developed laminate flooring at the end of the 1970s and launched the product in Europe during the 1980s. The company started sales in the USA in 1994 and later, to a smaller degree, in Asia in and Latin America. The company's products have been marketed under the Pergo(R) brand name since 1989. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange's Attract 40-list. For further information about Pergo, please visit our website www.pergo.com.
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