Välinge successfully defends patent in opposition at the EPO

[Viken, Sweden] Välinge successfully defended the European Patent No. 1 108 529 against the opposition filed by Flooring Industries Limited, SARL (the IP company of Unilin) in the oral proceedings on Oct. 14, 2014 before the Opposition Division. The patent is thereby maintained as granted after the opposition proceedings. According to Välinge, the patent was originally filed by Mannington Mills, Inc. and relates to resilient floor panels.

The Opposition Division decided in the oral proceedings to reject all grounds of the opposition filed by the opponent, and declared that claim 1 of the patent as granted is novel and involves an inventive step. The patent is thereby maintained as granted after the opposition proceedings, Välinge reported.

The “Välinge-Mannington EP529” patent relates to a thermoplastic laminate plank having a core, a print layer and a protective layer, wherein the core has a groove located on a side of the core, according to the company. Thereby, the patent is relevant for thermoplastic floorings having any kind of connection means comprising a tongue and groove.

Flooring Industries Limited, SARL, can appeal the decision of the Opposition Division.