SCA Wins US Supreme Court Victory in Patent Infringement Suit

STOCKHOLM, March 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SCA, a leading global hygiene company and the maker of TENA^® incontinence products, won an important victory before the United States Supreme Court on March 21, 2017 in its seven-year patent infringement case against First Quality Products, Inc. (SCA Hygiene Products Aktiebolag v. First Quality Baby Products, LLC.).  

In a 7-1 decision written by Justice Alito, the Supreme Court concluded that the six-year statutory period of limitations during which a patent infringement claim must be commenced cannot be shortened based on the equitable doctrine known as laches.  The decision provides certainty as to the damages period for patent infringement and allows SCA to proceed with its claim for pre-suit damages against First Quality.

"We are thrilled that the Supreme Court ruled in our favor. SCA can now pursue all of the damages to which it is entitled for First Quality's infringement of SCA's patent rights.  SCA is fully committed to the protection and defense of our industry-leading innovations," said Michael Feenan, Vice President Sales & Marketing, SCA Incontinence Care North America.

SCA is at the forefront of developing products that minimize the impact of incontinence and improve the dignity and everyday lives of people. SCA's TENA brand is the worldwide leader in the management of incontinence, with products and services for individual consumers as well as healthcare facilities throughout 105 countries. This includes a full line of absorbent products tailored to the distinct needs of men and women, as well as a complete range of skincare products.

In 2010, SCA sued First Quality for infringement of its US Patent Number 6,375,646, covering adult incontinence products in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  On First Quality's petition, the lower court dismissed SCA's claim for pre-suit damages, a decision which has now been reversed by the Supreme Court.  The case will return to Kentucky for trial on both pre- and post-suit damages.

SCA is represented by Dechert LLP.  Dechert partners Martin Black and Kevin Flannery are co-lead trial counsel in the case.  The appeals were handled by Martin Black, G. Eric Brunstad Jr., Kevin Flannery, Teri-Lynn A. Evans and Sharon Gagliardi of Dechert and Stephanos Bibas.   

For additional information, please contact: 
Lauren Hudson 
Weber Shandwick 
New York, NY 
212-445-8193 
LHudson@webershandwick.com   

About SCA 
SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company that sustainably develops, produces, markets and sells personal care, tissue and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and regional brands, such as Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. As Europe's largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management. The Group has about 46,000 employees. Sales in 2016 amounted to approximately $13.7 billion. SCA was founded in 1929, has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, and is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm. More information at www.sca.com.

SOURCE SCA Americas