3 companies acquitted of charges filed by Metsähallitus

The Helsinki Court of Appeal on Monday dismissed the damages claim of Metsähallitus against UPM, Stora Enso Corporation and Metsäliitto Cooperative, said a press release issued by forest industry company UPM.

The claim was based on the competition restriction concerning the raw wood market during 1997-early 2004 found by the Market Court decision on December 3, 2009.

Earlier, the Helsinki District Court had rejected Metsähallitus' claim on June 22, 2016.

The Court of Appeal ordered Metsähallitus to compensate UPM for its legal expenses.

According to Metsähallitus' claim, the forest industry companies had caused damage to Metsähallitus on the basis of the competition restriction found by the Market Court decision of 3 December 2009.

The capital amount of Metsähallitus' claim was in total approximately EUR 124.9 million, of which approximately EUR 17.6 million was based on agreements between Metsähallitus and UPM.