AutoStore intends to appeal the decision of the International Trade Commission (ITC) in the case against the Ocado Group regarding patent infringement. The commission on Thursday confirmed the first decision from December 31, 2021, which found the patent invalid, according to the exchange’s announcement on Thursday.

The outcome of this case has no impact on AutoStore’s global operations, the company wrote.

The trial of AutoStore’s patent infringement case against Ocado will begin in the UK High Court on March 15. The trial will last a total of four weeks, with the first part of the trial March 15-22. AutoStore has sharpened its processes to focus on three specific patents, collectively known as “Central Cavity Patents.”

AutoStore has since added at least one additional patent to Ocado, which will be the subject of a new lawsuit with a hearing in April 2023, he said.

Accordingly, the company will close its appeal case at the European Patent Office (EPO) for patent EP 847, as it is no longer relevant to the UK AutoStore patent infringement case. AutoStore believes that the case will benefit the company in UK processing, and the decision from the ITC has no significance for that decision, it said.

“AutoStore strongly believes in its lawsuits and will continue to pursue them. AutoStore also continues to believe that any claims and counterclaims from Ocado are unfounded and intends to defend itself strongly against these claims. There is uncertainty associated with the outcome of lawsuits and it can be very difficult to predict , and AutoStore does not offer insurance in this regard “, the company concludes.

(Director of TDN)