The lawsuit alleged that Xingraphics FIT and FIT Xtra infringed on 'Patent No. EP823327' in the name of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, which relates to a "method for making positive photosensitive lithographic printing plates". This patent was acquired by Agfa through its acquisition of Lastra in 2004.
However, Xingraphics claimed in court that "its technology was superior to Agfa's in performance and characteristic and is in no way infringing Agfa's patent(s)".
This week, The Hague District Court found in favour of Xingraphics, concluding that there had been no infringement and ruling that Agfa will have to pay Xingraphics' legal costs.
"Today's judgment is a major step forward for our organisation, our valued partners, and of course our customers worldwide that deserve to have access to an alternative thermal CtP plate technology that is of equal to or higher quality than our competitors, without being threatened to make that choice" said Xingraphics corporate vice-president Safwen Hijazi.
"We are grateful to our Dutch team of lawyers who have demonstrated that Agfa's negative and harmful accusations which were largely directed at our partners were, as we have always indicated, unfounded, so this judgment will allow us to put that part of this negative campaign by Agfa to a close."
"As Intellectual Property rights owners, Xingraphics respects such rights, but we will vigorously defend our position when allegations are unfairly aimed at us."