Tek-Dek and Patents... The Facts

Tek-Dek has been carefully engineered and produced to ensure that, despite claims to the contrary, it is not in contravention of ANY patents held by any decking company valid today.

This statement is not an idle claim. Two in depth, highly detailed reports supporting this assertion have been carried out. One in Europe and the other in Australasia.

Smithers R.A.P.R.A: The Rubber and Plastics Research Association is the most respected body of its type in Europe, and arguably the world. The conclusion of their 46 page report states: "It could be considered that the Tek-Dek product is simply a common flooring product applied to the marine market. There is no inventive step involved in this process and therefore the product is not considered to be patentable."

Your attention should also be drawn to page 46 of the R.A.P.R.A report. This shows an advert from Practical Boat Owner published in January 1967 showing the Dunlop Rubber Company manufacturing and distributing world-wide a similar P.V.C. deck covering... long before either Tek-Dek or anyone else!!

A second in-depth study is by the assistant commissioner for patents in New-Zealand, Mr. A Hazelwood. This report and its findings brushed aside the patent claims of a rival company- Flexiteek.

Their product is similar to Tek-Dek and has been examined and, like Tek-Dek, has been found to be "without invention or inventive steps". The patent was revoked and Flexiteek ordered to pay compensation.

This company continues to apply for and gain patents throughout the world despite knowing the conclusions of at least one of these highly respected bodies . This company, due to its size, continues to threaten all rivals with legal action.

Tek-Dek have published both reports in their entirety and invite you to read them and draw your own conclusions. Also available to download is an article from Practical Sailor magazine which compares Tek-Dek with other products on the market.

	Smithers R.A.P.R.A.
	Intellectual Property Office Of New Zealand
	Practical Sailor Product Reviews		Practical Sailor - 8 Months Later
	Order On Motion To Strike
	Press Release
	Legal Declarations