Developments in High Court

Symphony Plastic Technologies PLC 22 April 2004 For Immediate Release 22nd April 2004 SYMPHONY PLASTIC TECHNOLOGIES PLC DEVELOPMENTS IN THE HIGH COURT Symphony Plastic Technologies plc ('Symphony') today announces an update in the ongoing claim against Symphony by EPI Environmental Products Inc (EPI). As announced on 14th July 2003, the license agreement with EPI was terminated. EPI issued proceedings against Symphony on the 25th February 2004. EPI's case is that Symphony have breached a number of agreements concerning the Claimants' degradable additives, which it is claimed constitute breach of contract, passing off and misuse of confidential information. In relation to a claim by Symphony for security of costs, a High Court ruling on 20th April 2004, has ordered EPI to make a payment into Court of £160,000 by 30th April, to cover Symphony's anticipated legal costs up to the trial, but not including the trial itself. The court declined an application by EPI for security of costs, and made no award against Symphony. In response to an application for an accelerated trial by Symphony the Court has ordered a series of dates for specific actions to take place leading up to a trial in early November 2004. In response to a further application by Symphony for greater clarity in the claims, the Court has also ordered EPI to particularise the information being relied on as confidential and to provide reasons for this being so. The Court awarded costs for these hearings to Symphony with payment by EPI within 14 days. Michael Laurier, Chief Executive Officer, said: 'Based on the extensive legal advice we have received, we remain confident that we will prove in Court the absence of any substance to EPI's claims. Symphony is fully resourced, both in its evidence and otherwise, successfully to see this matter through to its proper conclusion.' For further information, please contact: Symphony Michael Laurier, Chief Executive Tel: 020 8207 5900 Alan Blacher, Chief Operating Officer This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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