EXHIBIT 99.1


COMPANY CONTACT:
KAREN HOLCOM
ACUITY BRANDS, INC.
(404) 853-1437



                              ACUITY BRANDS SETTLES
                          OUTSTANDING PATENT LITIGATION


         ATLANTA, AUGUST 29, 2003 - Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) announced
today that it has settled the patent infringement suit brought against it by
Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC (GTG) in March 2000 in the United States District
Court, Western District of Kentucky. In the suit, previously disclosed by Acuity
Brands, GTG claimed that a Lithonia Lighting(R) recessed downlighting product
introduced in 1994 infringed a GTG patent. The Court had previously found that
the product did infringe the patent but had not yet ruled whether the patent was
invalid based on the contention of Acuity Brands that the claimed invention was
obvious. The settlement agreement requires that Acuity Brands discontinue sales
of the current version of the product by December 31, 2003, refrain from
directly or indirectly challenging the validity of GTG's patent, and pay $8
million to GTG. Acuity Brands will record the $8 million pre-tax settlement
expense (or $0.12 per share after-tax) in its fiscal quarter ending August 31,
2003.

         John K. Morgan, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Acuity Brands, said, "By settling this matter, we are able to avoid
the uncertainties, expense, and distractions associated with a jury trial
involving a matter in which GTG alleged damages in excess of $20 million and
sought treble damages. We are pleased to put this matter behind us and be able
to keep our focus on serving our customers. Although we will be discontinuing
sales of the product as currently designed, we will begin manufacturing an
alternative design late this fall so that it will be available by January 1,
2004. We expect no disruptions of service to customers.

         "We believe strongly in the protection of patented inventions, and our
businesses make every reasonable effort to avoid violation of the intellectual
property rights of others, including their patents. Our vigorous defense of this
matter should in no way be interpreted as disregard for intellectual property.
Similarly, product innovation is an important part of our business strategy and
we intend to enforce our own intellectual property rights."

         Vernon J. Nagel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Acuity Brands, said, "In June, we stated that we expected full year earnings
of Acuity Brands to be at the low end of the range of the previous forecast of
$1.20 to $1.40 per share. While that expectation included an estimated accrual
for this matter, the settlement expense is higher than the previously
anticipated costs of this suit and will result in an additional after-tax charge
of $0.12 per share. We expect to report 2003 fourth quarter earnings on or about
October 2, 2003, and we are not providing an updated forecast at this time."

         Acuity Brands, Inc., with fiscal year 2002 sales of approximately $2.0
billion, is comprised of Acuity Lighting Group and Acuity Specialty Products
Group. Acuity Lighting Group is the world's leading lighting fixture
manufacturer and includes brands such as Lithonia Lighting(R), Holophane(R),
Peerless(R), Hydrel(R), and American Electric Lighting(R). Acuity Specialty
Products Group is a leading provider of specialty chemicals and includes brands
such as Zep(R), Enforcer(R), and Selig Industries(TM). Headquartered in Atlanta,
Georgia, Acuity Brands employs nearly 12,000 people and has operations
throughout North America and in Europe and Asia.

         This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve
risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual results


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may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements.
Statements made herein that may be considered forward-looking include statements
concerning: (a) the Company's results of operations; (b) expectations regarding
the timing of manufacturing a new product with an alternative design and the
lack of impact of this change on customer service; and (c) future enforcement of
our intellectual property rights. A variety of risks and uncertainties could
cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the anticipated
results or other expectations expressed in the Company's forward-looking
statements. The risks and uncertainties include without limitation the
following: (a) the uncertainty of general business and economic conditions; (b)
unexpected developments and outcomes in the Company's legal and environmental
proceedings; and (c) unanticipated delays in the development and manufacture of
a new product with an alternative design.