1st Oct 2020 14:09
(Alliance News) - Ocado Group PLC on Thursday said it has not received any letters from a Norwegian firm that has accused the online grocer of infringing its technology patents.
Ocado shares were 5.8% lower at 2,586.00 pence each in London on Thursday afternoon.
Autostore AS on Thursday said it has sued and has already filed complaints in the US - to both the US International Trade Commission and US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - and in the UK to the High Court of England and Wales.
"Ocado Smart Platform's automated storage and retrieval system unlawfully infringes AutoStore's patented technology," Autostore said.
Ocado Smart Platform is a storage and picking system used in fulfilment centres.
Autostore's system also is used in warehouses and its list of clients includes Walmart Inc's Asda, Johnson & Johnson and Siemens AG.
Ocado on Thursday noted Autostore's statement but said it has not received "any papers in relation to these claims".
"This is the first we have heard of this new claim," the FTSE 100-listed firm said.
"We are not aware of any infringement of any valid Autostore rights and of course we will investigate any claims once we receive further details. We have multiple patents protecting the use of our systems in grocery and we are investigating whether Autostore has, or intends to infringe those patents. We will always vigorously protect our intellectual property."
By Eric Cunha; [email protected]
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