In a high-profile patent case, a US jury has ruled in favour of Belgian flooring specialist Unilin. A Texas court found that Vilox and one of its licensees infringed four of Unilin's US patents. The verdict could have far-reaching financial consequences for the companies involved. 
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On 3 March 2026, a jury at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas delivered a clear verdict: products sold under the Vilox licence in the United States infringe all four Unilin patents at issue. Notably, the jury found that the infringement was "willful.''
Million damages
The ruling that the infringement was willful not only entitles Unilin to damages for all products sold, but also gives the court the power to increase the fines imposed. Under US law, this can result in damages of up to three times the original compensation. Although both parties still have the right to appeal, this ruling marks a significant victory for Unilin's IP division.
Protection
For the flooring industry, intellectual property (IP) is a crucial asset. Unilin, known for pioneering click systems and other flooring technologies, invests millions in research and development on an annual basis. Bart Van der Stockt, President of Unilin's IP business, stresses the importance of the ruling: "This is an important decision for Unilin, our licensing partners and for all companies that respect intellectual property rights."
According to Van der Stockt, Unilin remains committed to a fair and competitive market environment that protects investment in innovation. For licensees of Unilin, this ruling represents a confirmation of the value of their cooperation and a protection against undue competition in the US market.Now that the jury has established the facts, the court will consider the final amount of damages. The case will be closely watched by international flooring manufacturers, as the US market is one of the most important markets for innovative flooring solutions.
More information:
Unilin Technologies
www.unilintechnologies.com
