Patent Board Grants Lifetime Products Protection Against Chinese Copyists

CLEARFIELD, Utah, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lifetime Products, a world leader in blow-molded folding tables and chairs, announced today that the Chinese Patent Reexamination Board ("PRB") has found that all of the claims in Lifetime's Chinese patent no. 03807208.4 are valid.

In April 2011, Lifetime took action to enforce its trademark rights by instituting litigation against Zhejiang Bestem Furniture Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Bestem Machinery Co., Ltd. (previously called Hanghzou Dali Tools Packing Co., Ltd.), and Hangzhou Bestem Furniture Co., Ltd. (collectively, "Bestem") in Shanghai. In that litigation, Lifetime alleged that Bestem's products infringe three of Lifetime's Chinese patents, specifically patent no. 200380100171.1 relating to Lifetime's Personal Table, and patent nos. 03807208.4 and 200710181918.0 both relating to Lifetime's Folding Utility Tables.

In response to Lifetime's lawsuit, Bestem commenced a separate invalidation proceeding before the PRB with respect to each patent. On October 11, 2011, the PRB issued a decision concerning Lifetime's patent number 03807208.4 finding all claims to be valid, thus reinforcing the strength of Lifetime's Chinese patent portfolio. A hearing was also held before the PRB with respect to patent nos. 200380100171.1 and 200710181918.0 and a decision is pending.

Lifetime has a long history of creating a strong, global patent portfolio and of enforcing its intellectual property rights in the United States and other countries throughout the world. As both a manufacturer and innovator, Lifetime continues to monitor the international market for products that infringe its intellectual property, and will take appropriate action to enforce its intellectual property rights in venues worldwide when necessary.

In 1998, Lifetime introduced the first blow-molded polyethylene folding utility table to the market. They followed their success with the table by introducing a blow-molded polyethylene folding chair in 2000. Today, Lifetime is the world's largest manufacturer of blow-molded polyethylene folding tables and chairs and holds a portfolio of patents protecting these products.

About Lifetime

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Lifetime Products, Inc. was established in 1986 and is a privately-held company headquartered in Clearfield, Utah. In 1995, Lifetime Products invented the first blow-molded polyethylene tabletop- a picnic table that was stronger, lighter, and more durable than traditional picnic tables. Lifetime is the world's leading manufacturer of polyethylene folding tables, chairs, and residential basketball hoops with products sold in 58 countries. With other offerings from outdoor sheds and carts to kayaks and soccer goals, Lifetime continues to develop innovative products.

SOURCE Lifetime Products