Viken, Sweden—Novalis has entered into a license agreement covering specific Välinge and Mannington patent rights for LVT products. The agreement is part of a strengthened cooperation since Välinge and Novalis had already signed—in December 2012—a license agreement related to Fold Down technologies based on Välinge’s and Classen’s patent rights for use on their LVT products.
“More than 10 companies have already obtained protection on the Mannington patents since Välinge and 
Mannington entered into an agreement,” said Niclas Håkansson, CEO of Välinge, “and several more will follow. Novalis is dedicated to meet market demands by developing and launching new, improved consumer friendly products and solutions.
“Together with us,” he explained, “they take advantage of the possibility to obtain necessary licenses for use of related IP. We are announcing this agreement as an addition to an earlier agreement on the Fold Down system from Novalis, regarding its NovaClic FD products.”
In January 2012, Välinge and Mannington signed a cross-license agreement for LVT technology. This agreement covers the Välinge specific IP rights related to resilient flooring with priority from 2001 and Mannington IP rights, a resilient floor with a mechanical locking system, with priority from 1999. The agreement creates a very strong protection for any kind of LVT-floor with a mechanical locking system, noted Håkansson.