I4F has recently entered into separate, confidential settlement agreements with Flooring Industries (Unilin) and Välinge Innovation AB, as the company says in the press release received by Lesprom Network.
As a result, the three parties will withdraw from all pending litigation in the United States and Europe. Based on the agreement with Unilin, I4F has the right to ensure that its licensees will not be subject to the currently pending ITC proceedings in the United States.
The scope for both settlement agreements is for so-called “New Materials Products” with locking. This means floor coverings using a locking, on both the long and/or short sides – with or without a bevel –featuring a thermoplastic-based or mineralbased core.
Various on-going litigation during the last five years between the parties has led to continuous legal uncertainty, costs and commercial risks in the global flooring market. To put an end to these detrimental effects on innovation, investment and competition, the parties have agreed to settle their disputes. For I4F licensees, this means that all on-going legal proceedings linked to I4F, involving Unilin, Mohawk or Välinge will be withdrawn.
