We work diligently to protect our proprietary technologies and we will vigorously defend our intellectual property from infringement.
Matt Clift, Executive Vice President of Global Operations

Serta, Sealy, Classic, Englander and Simmons are among bedding manufacturers being sued by Tempur-Pedic (NYSE:TPX) in a patent infringement lawsuit filed yesterday in filed the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The lawsuit claims the companies are violating Tempur-Pedic's patent on design and construction of mattresses.

"Tempur-Pedic is committed to making significant investments to enhance the performance and durability of our products. As part of our long-standing investment strategy, we work diligently to protect our proprietary technologies and we will vigorously defend our intellectual property from infringement," said Matt Clift, Tempur-Pedic Executive Vice President of Global Operations, head of Tempur-Pedic's Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Group.

On March 24, 2009, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent Number 7,507,468, titled "Laminated Visco-Elastic Support," to Tempur-Pedic. This patent is directed to a variety of mattress constructions utilizing layers of visco-elastic and other foam materials. The patent grants Tempur-Pedic exclusive rights to make, use and sell products incorporating the inventions claimed in the 468 patent.

The companies named in the suit are Anatomic Global Inc., Bragada Inc., Carpenter Co., Classic Sleep Products, Inc., Englander Sleep Products, LLC, Essentia U.S.A., LLC, IR Specialty Foam, LLC, Jeffco Fibres, Inc., Sealy Corporation, Serta Inc., Serta Restokraft Mattress Co., Sleep Products, Inc., Simmons Bedding Company, Spirit Sleep Products, LLC, The Simmons Manufacturing Co., LLC, WCW, Inc., and World Sleep Products, Inc.