2012-03-06 13:00:00 CET

2012-03-06 13:00:04 CET


REGULATED INFORMATION

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Outokumpu Oyj - Company Announcement

Outokumpu – Court of appeal ruling in a damage case relating to alleged copper cartel activities in USA


STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE
6 March 2012 at 2.00 pm EET


In connection with the industrial copper tubes EU-cartel investigation,
completed in May 2009, Outokumpu has since 2006 been in the process of
addressing civil complaint in the United States, which was filed by Carrier
Corporation against Outokumpu in the United States District Court for the
Western District of Tennessee. The complaint alleges a worldwide price fixing
and market allocation cartel with respect to copper tubing for air conditioning
and heat exchangers and related applications (ACR Tube) for at least the period
from 1989 to 2001. 

The complaint requests damages due to alleged overcharges (without specifying a
particular amount of damages) In July 2007, Carrier's complaint was dismissed. 
Carrier subsequently filed an appeal and, in 2 March 2012, the United States
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the decision dismissing the
complaint and remanded the case to the United States District Court for the
Western District of Tennessee for further proceedings. Outokumpu intends to
defend itself as it believes that the allegations are without merit. 

Outokumpu exited the copper fabrication business by divesting the majority of
it 2005 and the remainder in 2008. In connection with the sale of Outokumpu's
former fabricated copper products business to Nordic Capital, Outokumpu has
agreed to indemnify Nordic Capital with respect to this claim. 

For more information, please contact:

Kari Tuutti - SVP, Communications, IR and Marketing
tel. +358 9 421 2432


OUTOKUMPU OYJ



Outokumpu is a global leader in stainless steel with the vision to be the
undisputed number one. Customers in a wide range of industries use our
stainless steel and services worldwide. Being fully recyclable,
maintenance-free, as well as very strong and durable material, stainless steel
is one of the key building blocks for sustainable future. Outokumpu employs
some 8 000 people in more than 30 countries. The Group's head office is located
in Espoo, Finland. Outokumpu is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki.
www.outokumpu.com