STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 17, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pergo has taken another important step to protect its various patent rights and initiated an action for patent infringement against FN Profile, Inc. and Neuhofer Holz GmbH in the US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, USA.
The action charges FN Profile, Inc. and Neuhofer Holz GmbH with infringement of Pergo's US patents 6,860,074 and 6,805,951. The patents relate to Pergo's recently launched, revolutionary Four-In-One Moldings technology. This legal action ensures protection of the innovative all-inclusive, snap-together molding system, which is marketed under the trademark Simple Solutions(TM). This Four-In-One Molding innovation offers significant savings in both cost and time for retailers, installers and consumers.
The complaint alleges that the FN Profile, Inc. and Neuhofer Holz GmbH products sold under the trademark FN One4All infringe the patents. The complaint requests a preliminary and permanent injunction and requests damages and costs.
Earlier, Pergo has commenced a similar suit against the Faus Group of companies.
Four-in-One Moldings are being manufactured in a brand new 60,000-square-foot facility. The facility was opened for production in Garner, N.C. in August 2004. The product has recently been launched and is currently sold through Pergo's various distribution channels in the USA.
Pergo is a flooring company with leading market positions, particularly in Europe and the USA. Net sales amount to approx. SEK 2.8 billion and the number of employees is around 800. 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 US in 1994 and later also in Asia 1995 and Latin America 1997. 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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-0- For further comments, please contact: CEO -- Tony Sturrus Phone: +1 919 773 6000 E-mail: tony.sturrus@pergo.com CFO -- Staffan Soderqvist Phone: 0410-36 31 00 E-mail: staffan.soderqvist@pergo.com Communications Manager -- Asa Ruhr Phone: 410-36 31 00 mobile: 0705-59 55 79 E-mail: asa.ruhr@pergo.com