Arca Systems is successful in patent dispute
Steco Logistics GmbH is trying to prevent sales of Arca Systems Ortus returnable transit packaging by claiming that Arca is infringing Steco intellectual property. Arca Systems can now inform that on the 5th April 2004 the appeal court in Florence, Italy, after having appointed technical expertise evaluating both the alleged infringement as well as the validity of the patents in question, overturned completely the preliminary injunction decided by the court of first instance. Accordingly the technical expertise established that Arca Ortus does not infringe Steco’s patent and the validity of the Steco patent was also seriously questioned. The patent dispute started two years ago and Arca Systems has now filed an opposition against a Steco patent recently granted by the European Patent Office; this recently granted patent was a subject matter in the Florence court. Furthermore, Arca Systems considers Steco to infringe some patents belonging to Arca Systems with its foldable crates “series 2000”. Consequently, in October 2004, Arca Systems filed a law suit against Steco in Venice, Italy. Arca Systems reserves its right to take further actions against any other infringements and for the prosecution of anyone involved in order to defend its good name and position and will search for compensation of any suffered damages. Arca Systems will make its best possible efforts that the ongoing patent dispute have no repercussions for the company’s clients. Arca Systems operates in 30 countries in Europe, North America and Asia, and is a market leader in products and systems for materials handling. Arca Systems’ head office is located in Malmö, Sweden. The company has a turnover of EUR 200 million, and approximately 900 employees, and 93% of its total sales are outside Sweden. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further information, please contact: Witold Orlowski, EVP Product Concept & Technology Tel: +46 435 77 71 12 or +46 70 594 42 20 Email: witold.orlowski@arcasys.com www.arcasys.com