Cleveland, Ohio (October 13, 2008) – Tarkett Inc. responded today that recent litigation brought by Unilin against Tarkett Inc., Clarion Boards Inc., Clarion Laminates LLC and AT Clarion Group LLC is unjustified and without merit.

While Tarkett has not been served with the lawsuit, it vigorously denies claims that Tarkett Laminate flooring products infringe on any Unilin patents. At present, Tarkett utilizes the Valīnge locking system for its laminate flooring products, under license with Valīnge Innovation AB. Although Tarkett has license agreements in place with both Valīnge and Unilin, it has chosen to use the Valīnge technology in its laminate production.

“Our distributors and retailers should feel secure and confident that Tarkett Laminate flooring products, under a license with Valīnge, utilize its locking system and do not infringe on any Unilin patents,” said Gary Finseth, Tarkett Residential Marketing Director. “Tarkett has taken all the necessary measures to insure our legal position is secure in order to make certain our service and product performance is consistent and uninterrupted.”

Tarkett noted that Unilin’s patents are currently under challenge in other cases pending in U.S. federal courts, and that Valīnge successfully defended several of its licensees in a recent patent case. Tarkett is confident that if legal action continues, the Unilin patents should be declared invalid, and that a finding of no infringement will be rendered in favor of Tarkett.

About Valīnge
Located in Sweden, Valīnge is a world leading research and development company in the flooring industry. Valīnge owns approximately 600 patents, and has approximately 100 licensees worldwide.

About Tarkett
With 2007 revenues of €2.1 billion, Tarkett is one of the world’s largest providers of innovative and sustainable flooring and sports surfaces. With 9000 employees serving Tarkett’s customers in 100 countries and 28 production sites, Tarkett’s comprehensive product lines are known throughout the industry for design, quality and innovation excellence, and include a wide range of materials – vinyl, linoleum, rubber, laminate, wood, artificial turf, and other sports surfaces. Founded more than 130 years ago, Tarkett is organized in four Divisions – Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America and worldwide sports (FieldTurf Tarkett).

For further information, visit www.tarkett.com.