Press release: Glaston takes further actions in patent infringement cases

 Glaston Corporation    PRESS RELEASE 4 April 2013                   

 Glaston takes further actions in patent infringement cases

In May 2012, Glaston Corporation informed that it had initiated legal proceedings in China against Luoyang North Glass Technologies Co. Ltd. (“Northglass”) and Luoyang Land Glass Technologies Co. Ltd. (“Landglass”) regarding patent infringement cases. The Patent Reexamination Board in Beijing has now given decisions to invalidate Glaston's patents in question based on Land Glass' and North Glass’ invalidation claims filed after the infringement suits. 

Glaston is disappointed on the decisions and will take further actions. “Although the same patents are valid across the world the decisions were not a complete surprise considering the proceedings in China. Consequently, we have initiated proceedings to cancel the invalidation decisions and in the meanwhile have withdrawn our infringement claims against Land Glass and North Glass from the Suzhou court in order to reserve a right to bring it to the court again", says Arto Metsänen, CEO and President of Glaston Corporation.

In November 2010, the federal Court in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada issued judgement against North Glass in Glaston’s favour on the infringement of Glaston’s two patents for its unique tempering and bending technology, the other patent being the same patent as in the current Chinese case. A similar judgement against North Glass was issued in the United Kingdom in 2006 involving another Glaston’s patent.

Glaston Corporation will continue to be active in protecting its Intellectual Property Rights globally.

For further information, please contact:
Ms Taina Tirkkonen
General Counsel
Glaston Corporation
Phone: +358 10 500 6934

Ms Janice Zhou
Marketing Communication Manager, China
Glaston Shanghai Co., Ltd.
Phone：+8621 5840 9778

Glaston Corporation
Glaston is a global company developing glass processing technology for architectural, solar, appliance and automotive applications. Our portfolio ranges from pre-processing and safety glass machines to services. We are dedicated to our customers’ continued success and provide services for all glass processing needs with a lifecycle-long commitment in mind. For more information, please visit www.glaston.net. Glaston's share (GLA1V) is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Small Cap List.