Smith & Fong Co. answers bamboo competitor's suit, files counterclaims

January 3, 2008 - Seattle, WA - Responding to a one-count complaint by Bainbridge Island, Washington-based Teragren LLC, alleging patent infringement, Plyboo manufacturer Smith & Fong Co. has served an answer and counterclaims for patent invalidity, non-infringement, antitrust and trademark violations against Teragren

Teragren claims Smith & Fong infringes a bamboo strand patent that is purportedly exclusively licensed to Teragren.

We believe strongly the alleged patent is invalid," said Dan Smith, president and founder of Smith & Fong. "And even if the patent were valid, none of Smith & Fong's products infringe it.

Smith noted that while Smith & Fong is the first competitor to be served a lawsuit by Teragren, the bamboo industry at large has been targeted. "We are trying to vindicate the rights of strand-bamboo manufacturers as well as importers and distributors, all of whom would be exploited by Teragren’s unfair and anti-competitive practices."

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in San Francisco, Smith & Fong Co. was the first U.S. company to manufacture bamboo flooring in China for sale in North America and is committed to innovation and sustainability. In 1996 the firm began producing bamboo plywood, followed by coconut palm flooring and plywood products in 2000.