Second German Court stays Ocado case against AutoStore because Ocado IP right may be invalid

The Reporting Judge told both parties that, after his initial review of the briefs, he considered the utility model IP right as asserted by Ocado invalid.  

Ocado therefore agreed that the Mannheim District Court should stay the claim pending a decision in AutoStore’s ongoing challenge to the validity of Ocado’s utility model in the German Patent Office. The Court then ordered the stay.

Ocado brought the actions in the Munich and Mannheim District Courts in Germany based on its two utility models as a tactical response to the legal cases AutoStore launched against it for patent infringement in 2020.

AutoStore has consistently maintained that the utility models forming the basis of Ocado’s actions in Germany are invalid, and we commenced proceedings last year in the German Patent Office to invalidate them. 

AutoStore continues to invest in industry-leading technology innovations to help our customers automate their warehouse operations and drive efficiency.

Earlier this month, AutoStore released the new AutoStore R5+ robot technology that solves customers’ needs more efficiently and is being rolled out across our worldwide customer base, including in Germany. The newest addition to the AutoStore Robot fleet will enable warehouses to manage larger items, thanks to the R5+’s ability to handle Bins up to 425 mm, the tallest Bins available in the AutoStore system.

All other AutoStore actions continue as before, including the infringement action launched in October 2020 in the UK and currently before the High Court.

None of these legal developments affects the operations or success of our growing global business. As the pioneer of cube storage automation, we have secured hundreds of patents since our founding.

As demonstrated by the launch of the R5+ robot, AutoStore continues to develop the next generation of robots and solutions to remain the technology leader in this space. AutoStore now has more than 770 systems in 40 countries, is represented in a variety of industries, and continues to grow its business worldwide.

See here for further details of AutoStore’s launch of the R5+ robot: https://www.autostoresystem.com/news/autostore-unveils-r5-robot-expanding-its-bin-handling-capabilities-to-meet-the-needs-of-rapidly-evolving-warehouses

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For additional information, please contact:

AutoStore Investor Relations:

Bent M. Skisaker, Chief Financial Officer

+47 46 82 16 93

bent.skisaker@autostoresystem.com

AutoStore Norwegian media:

Geir Bjørlo

+47 91 54 00 00

geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no

AutoStore International media:

Emma Schultz (USA) 

+1 646 644 8095

AutoStore@brunswickgroup.com

Tim Danaher (UK)

+44 7515 916 216

AutoStore@brunswickgroup.com

About AutoStore

AutoStore is an innovative robotic and software technology company, and a pioneer of cubic storage automation. The group operates in the rapidly growing warehouse automation industry, and in the even faster growing cube storage segment. AutoStore develops warehouse solutions for the future and helps its customers to enable space saving and increase performance, while reducing labor and energy costs. For more information about AutoStore, see www.autostoresystem.com.

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