Ocado : Says It Isn't Aware of AutoStore Patent Infringement

By Jaime Llinares Taboada

Ocado Group PLC said Thursday that it isn't aware of any infringement of valid AutoStore rights after AutoStore sued Ocado for infringing its technology patents.

The FTSE 100 online grocer and retail-technology specialist said that it hasn't received any papers in relation with AutoStore's claims and that it will investigate them once it receives further details. In addition, Ocado said it will investigate whether AutoStore has or intends to infringe its own patents.

AutoStore, a Norway-based supplier of automated storage and retrieval systems, said earlier that it has filed patent infringement lawsuits in the U.S. and the U.K. against Ocado. It claims that Ocado signed agreements with retailers for systems that infringe AutoStore's patented technology.

The Norwegian group noted that Ocado is one of its customers and first purchased AutoStore technology in 2012.

Shares in Ocado at 1243 GMT were down 145 pence, or 5.3%, at 2,599 pence.

Write to Jaime Llinares Taboada at [e-mail]; @JaimeLlinaresT

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-01-20 0908ET