By Sabela Ojea


Autostore Holdings Ltd. said Friday that it intends to appeal the U.S. International Trade Commission's decision on the lawsuit against Ocado Group PLC in relation to several patents.

The ITC has found for the second time that Ocado hasn't infringed Autostore's cavity-bot patents or that these are invalid. On Dec. 13, the federal agency came to the same conclusion.

Autostore's trial against the online grocer and retail-technology specialist will begin in the U.K. High Court on March 15, the warehouse robot technology company said, noting that it is strengthening the case on key patents.

"AutoStore believes strongly in its litigation positions and will continue to pursue them. AutoStore also continues to believe that each of the claims and counterclaims raised by Ocado is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against those claims," the company said.

Ocado, on the other hand, said it continues to pursue its claims against Autostore for infringement of its intellectual-property rights in the U.S. and Europe.

"All 33 of the patent claims asserted against Ocado have now been confirmed for a second time to be either invalid or not infringed, demonstrating again how misguided Autostore's complaint has been," the online grocer and retail-technology specialist said.

The ITC's investigation has now ended, Ocado added.

"We expect further vindication in the High Court in London in the weeks ahead, where Autostore has already abandoned half of the patents in the case," an Ocado spokesperson said.

Ocado shares at 0915 GMT were up 57.00 pence, or 4.8%, at 1,239 pence.


Write to Sabela Ojea at sabela.ojea@wsj.com; @sabelaojeaguix


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-11-22 0450ET