The Dutch appellate court at The Hague has confirmed infringement by Chengdu Xingraphics Co. Ltd. of China with regard to Agfa Graphics NV’s key patent on digital printing plates.
The appeals court decided that Agfa’s patent EP823327 is infringed by the sales of Xingraphics’ FIT digital printing plates. The verdict from the court in the Netherlands is consistent with the first instance decision of November 22, 2011, in a parallel procedure before the German Landgericht.
The court has ordered Xingraphics and its Dutch dealer Atécé to refrain from further infringement in the Netherlands and to pay damages, as well as a refund of legal expenses to Agfa Graphics.
“This court decision confirms that we have a strong patent portfolio and that our IP rights are well founded and relevant,” said Stefaan Vanhooren, President of Agfa Graphics. “It signals that we are serious about protecting our know-how against infringements.”
The injunction against further infringement not only applies to the mentioned FIT plates but also to any other positive thermal plates, which use the patented technology.
‘’We are currently discussing patent issues with other competitors and their dealers in order to obtain a fair settlement as compensation for their infringement,” said Rudi Goedeweeck, Agfa’s General Manager of Intellectual Property.
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