NEWS

Synthetic Teak Wars - Court rules  

3 July 2009

A US jury has ruled in favour of Flexiteek, in its patent infringement against PlasTEAK and PlasDECK. Flexiteek International based in Norway has manufacturing plants in Australia, Sweden and the USA.  A statement issued by the company reads as follows:

"The case was filed in June 2008, alleging that the Tek-Dek products formerly imported and sold by PlasTEAK, as well as PlasDECK's current line of synthetic teak decking product infringe upon Flexiteek's US Patent.

"The Court made additional rulings of law which considerably strengthened the our Patent. They have confirmed Flexiteek International AS as the correct owner of the this Patent.

"Flexiteek's main competitors, Tek-Dek Ltd and PlasDECK Inc, have been taking the position that Flexiteek was not the owner of the Patent and that it was invalid. Despite warning they continued to manufacture and sell their infringing products around the world. 

"The Court also rendered what is called a "claims construction" which defines what the claims and terms of the patent mean. The claims construction significantly broadened the scope of the Patent against any and all potential infringers.

"Shortly, the Court will issue an injunction prohibiting PlasTEAK and PlasDECK from making, marketing and selling the infringing products. The injunction will also apply to all the PlasDeck distributors and installers around the world.

"The jury determined that the early PT-Products (Tek-Dek's products imported to the US from the UK) were infringing on the patent. Therefore, we believe this verdict is enforceable against the present ongoing patent infringement of Tek-Dek."

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